Do patients with SCLE have SLE?

About one half of patients with SCLE will have four or more criteria for the classification of SLE, though most SCLE patients do not have serious renal or CNS lupus erythematosus. Typically, they have skin disease, photosensitivity, and musculoskeletal complaints. Dry eyes and dry mouth are also common. Some patients with SCLE experience severe manifestations of SLE, and thus all SCLE patients should be monitored for systemic disease.