Find information on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus diagnosis, including clinical documentation, medical coding, ICD-10 codes for SLE, lupus nephritis, and cutaneous lupus. Learn about diagnostic criteria, lab tests like ANA and anti-dsDNA, and billing guidelines for SLE management. This resource provides essential information for healthcare professionals, clinicians, and medical coders seeking accurate and up-to-date details on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.
Also known as
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Autoimmune disease causing inflammation and damage to various body systems.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Encompasses a wide range of disorders affecting joints, bones, muscles, and connective tissues.
Diseases of the circulatory system
Covers conditions affecting the heart, blood vessels, and lymphatic system, sometimes affected by lupus.
Diseases of the genitourinary system
Includes kidney diseases, which can be a serious complication of lupus.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the lupus drug-induced?
Yes
What drug caused it?
No
Is the lupus discoid?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Systemic lupus erythematosus |
| Drug-induced lupus |
| Cutaneous lupus erythematosus |
Coding lupus without specific manifestations (e.g., nephritis, cutaneous) leads to inaccurate severity reflection and DRG assignment.
Miscoding exacerbations as flares or vice versa impacts quality reporting and resource utilization documentation.
Overlooking secondary conditions (e.g., infections, renal failure) associated with lupus understates patient complexity and impacts reimbursement.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with possible Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Symptoms reported include fatigue, joint pain (arthralgia), and a malar rash (butterfly rash) across the bridge of the nose and cheeks. Patient also notes photosensitivity and recent unexplained hair loss (alopecia). Review of systems reveals intermittent fevers, weight loss, and Raynaud's phenomenon. Physical examination confirms the presence of the malar rash, swollen and tender joints in the hands (arthritis), and mild lymphadenopathy. Laboratory tests ordered include complete blood count (CBC) with differential, comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), antinuclear antibody (ANA) titer, anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody, complement levels (C3, C4), urinalysis, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Preliminary differential diagnosis includes rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome, and other connective tissue disorders. Assessment suggests a high probability of SLE, pending laboratory results. Plan is to initiate symptomatic treatment for pain and inflammation with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Patient education provided regarding SLE symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options, including potential need for corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants depending on disease activity and organ involvement. Follow-up appointment scheduled to review laboratory results and discuss further management based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for SLE. Medical billing codes will be determined upon confirmation of diagnosis and treatment plan. ICD-10 code M32.9 (Systemic lupus erythematosus, unspecified) is tentatively considered, with further specification upon completion of diagnostic workup.