Criteria for diagnosing SLE
Mnemonic is NIH ROAD MAPS. The first 4 letters are system involvements and the others are individual specific findings. 4 of the criteria being present in the patient fulfil the patient's diagnosis for SLE.
| N | Neurologic | Depression, Mild psychosis, Stroke |
| I | Immunologic | LE cell, Anti DS DNA or Anti Sm , False positive VDRL |
| H | Hematologic | Anemia, leukopenia, Thrombocytopenia without offending drugs |
| R | Renal | Proteinuria >0.5g/day or >3+ on dipstick, cellular casts |
| O | Oral ulcers | Mouth or nose (seen by doctor - not just reported by patient) |
| A | ANA | In the absence of drugs that can do this e.g. hydralazine/procainamide |
| D | Discoid rash | Scaling and follicular plugging. Can cause permanent alopecia and scarring |
| M | Malar rash | Butterfly rash on cheeks |
| A | Arthritis | Tenderness, swelling or effusion in 2 or more joints (not just pain) |
| P | Photosensitivity | |
| S | Serositis | Pleuritis/Pericarditis (rub/effusion/EKG of pericarditis) |