SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS: LABORATORY METHODS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

Abstract

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus is a chronic systemic rheumatic disease of autoimmune origin, where dysregulated immune responses trigger the production of autoantibodies that can affect various organs and tissues. Because it is a multisystemic disease, diagnosis can take time, even years, resulting in disease progression and a significant possibility of mortality among those affected. Based on the severity of the condition, the global prevalence, and the non-specificity of tests that alone can confirm the presence of the condition, this work aims to conduct a narrative literature review using scientific journals such as the Scientific Electronic Library Online, SciELO, and biomedical and life sciences databases such as the Public Medical Database, PubMed, as reference points for the research. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a review of the scientific literature on this topic in the main entities in immunology and rheumatology in order to map, synthesize, and fill gaps regarding the most relevant laboratory methods used for diagnosis, aiming to optimize the clinical-investigative process with the ultimate goal of proposing a standardized approach to systemic lupus erythematosus.