[Immunological staging in lupus erythematosus. Basic data and practical significance].

A complete staging of immunity in lupus erythematosus includes immunoserologic, immunocytologic, and immunohistologic findings. However, not all of these laboratory findings are of clinical relevance. The most important immunologic parameters for lupus erythematosus can be summed up in three obligatory and two facultative tests. This "immunologic staging" is considered to be of decisive importance for the risk classification of patients with lupus erythematosus and for the choice of the therapeutic procedure.