SLICC 2012 SLE Classification Criteria

SLICC 2012 criteria classify systemic lupus erythematosus by counting fulfilled clinical and immunologic items. Classification criteria for study cohorts, not a diagnostic test.

Biopsy-proven lupus nephritis (compatible with SLE) WITH ANA or anti-dsDNA positive (standalone pathway: Yes classifies as SLE regardless of the count)

Clinical criteria (11)

Clinical 1 - Acute cutaneous lupus (malar/bullous/photosensitive rash without dermatomyositis, or subacute cutaneous)

Clinical 2 - Chronic cutaneous lupus (discoid, hypertrophic, panniculitis, mucosal, tumidus, chilblains)

Clinical 3 - Oral or nasal ulcers (excluding vasculitis, Behcet, herpes, IBD, reactive arthritis)

Clinical 4 - Nonscarring alopecia (excluding alopecia areata, drugs, iron deficiency, androgenic)

Clinical 5 - Synovitis (≥ 2 joints with swelling/effusion, OR tenderness in ≥ 2 joints + ≥ 30 min morning stiffness)

Clinical 6 - Serositis (pleurisy/effusion/rub, or pericardial pain/effusion/rub/ECG; excluding infection, uremia, Dressler)

Clinical 7 - Renal (urine protein:creatinine or 24h protein ≥ 500 mg/24h, OR red blood cell casts)

Clinical 8 - Neurologic (seizures, psychosis, mononeuritis multiplex, myelitis, neuropathy, acute confusional state)

Clinical 9 - Hemolytic anemia

Clinical 10 - Leukopenia (<4000/mm3) OR lymphopenia (<1000/mm3) at least once (single criterion; counts once even if both)

Clinical 11 - Thrombocytopenia (<100,000/mm3) at least once (excluding drugs, portal HTN, TTP)

Immunologic criteria (6)

Immunologic 1 - ANA above laboratory reference range

Immunologic 2 - Anti-dsDNA above reference range (or 2x reference if measured by ELISA)

Immunologic 3 - Anti-Sm (Smith antibody)

Immunologic 4 - Antiphospholipid antibody (lupus anticoagulant, false-positive RPR, medium/high anticardiolipin, or anti-beta2-GPI)

Immunologic 5 - Low complement (low C3, C4, or CH50)

Immunologic 6 - Direct Coombs test positive (counts only in the absence of hemolytic anemia)