A clinic patient with systemic lupus erythematosus is experiencing a disease flare. Which finding would indicate this flare?

A clinic patient with systemic lupus erythematosus is experiencing a disease flare. Which finding would indicate this flare?

• A. Alopecia
• B. Arthritis of hands
• C. Weight gain
• D. Fever

Answer: (D)

Fever during a lupus flare signals systemic inflammatory activity. In SLE, a flare reflects heightened immune complex–driven inflammation, and cytokines elevate the body's temperature set point, producing fever. Hair loss can occur with lupus but isn’t a reliable sign of a sudden, systemic flare, and joint involvement can appear with disease activity without necessarily indicating fever. Weight gain often stems from steroid use or fluid retention rather than active inflammation. So fever best indicates an active lupus flare.