ABSTRACT

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune connective tissue disease characterized by failure of immune regulation which results in the production of autoantibodies, activation of the complement system, immune complex generation, and abnormalities of cellular immunity. The clinical spectrum of the disease is extremely wide and the disease course and prognosis are variable depending to some extent on the degree of major organ involvement. This chapter briefly reviews the epidemiology, main clinical and serologic features and the manifestations of vascular disease in SLE.