Systemic lupus erythematosus, often called SLE or lupus, is a chronic inflammatory disease that can affect the skin, joints, kidneys, lungs, nervous system, and other organs of the body. It is sometimes labeled the “great imitator” because its wide variety of symptoms can often be confused with other disorders. Usually, patients with SLE experience skin rashes and arthritis as well as fatigue and fever, and the disease can be fatal. However, improvements in therapy have significantly increased these patients’ quality of life and their life expectancy.