Laboratory procedures used in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus: a review.

The literature concerning the laboratory procedures presently available to aid in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) was reviewed to determine which of these techniques could be most valuable in the detection and management of SLE patients. The LE cell test, once the laboratory basis for SLE diagnosis, was concluded to be insensitive, non-specific, and did not correspond to clinical activity of the patient. A second procedure, antinuclear-antibody detection, although very sensitive, was not specific for SLE; therefore, its value is limited for use as a screening technique to rule out SLE. The Farr anti-DNA precipitate immunoassay, used for the measurement of antibodies to DNA, was sensitive and specific, and also correlated well with the clinical condition of the patient. Therefore, the Farr binding assay is recommended as the laboratory procedure of choice since it is useful in monitoring disease activity and may contribute to earlier diagnosis and more precise management of SLE patients.