A review of the use, evaluations, and criticisms of the preliminary criteria for the classification of systemic lupus erythematosus.

The use of the Preliminary Criteria for the Classification of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) has been reviewed. Most authors describing 10 or more patients have used the criteria. Although originally designed for classification of patients, the criteria have often been used for the diagnosis of SLE. The sensitivity of the criteria was evaluated and found to be similar to the 90% reported in the original ARA trial. Studies on specificity yielded conflicting results. Various suggestions to improve the criteria have been made, including a more detailed description of some of the organ involvements and the adoption of laboratory tests that have been improved since or were unavailable at the time of original publication of the criteria.