The original SLEDAI and its updated version SLEDAI-2K are composite indices built from 24 clinical and laboratory items, each with a fixed weight from 1 to 8 points. The clinician records whether each item has been present within the last 10 days; the total score is the sum of the weights, ranging from 0 to 105.
SLEDAI-2K Calculator
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 (past 10 days).
CNS & Severe Systemic (8 points each)
Check if present within the last 10 days and attributable to active lupus.
Seizure
Recent onset; other causes (metabolic, drug, infection) excluded.
+8
Psychosis
Severe disturbance of reality and function due to lupus.
+8
Organic brain syndrome
Acute confusional state / delirium from lupus CNS activity.
+8
Visual disturbance
Retinal or optic nerve involvement attributed to lupus.
+8
Cranial nerve disorder
New sensory or motor cranial neuropathy from lupus.
+8
Lupus headache
Severe, persistent, non-responsive to narcotics, judged lupus-related.
+8
Cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
New stroke attributed to lupus vasculopathy.
+8
Vasculitis
Biopsy/angiographic or typical clinical features of small-vessel vasculitis.
+8
Musculoskeletal & Renal / Urinary (4 points each)
Arthritis
≥2 joints with pain and objective inflammation (swelling/effusion).
+4
Myositis
Proximal weakness with enzyme / EMG / biopsy evidence.
+4
Urinary casts
Red-cell or granular casts not explained by other causes.
+4
Hematuria
>5 RBC / high-power field; non-infectious, non-stone.
+4
Proteinuria
>0.5 g/24h or equivalent – new, increased, or persistent active lupus nephritis.
+4
Pyuria
>5 WBC / high-power field, not due to infection.
+4
Mucocutaneous, Serosal & Immunologic (2 points each)
Rash
Active inflammatory lupus rash (new or persistent).
+2
Alopecia
Patchy or diffuse hair loss judged due to active lupus.
+2
Mucosal ulcers
Oral or nasal ulcerations from lupus (new or persistent).
+2
Pleurisy
Typical pleuritic chest pain with rub, effusion, or imaging support.
+2
Pericarditis
Pericardial pain with rub, effusion, or ECG/echo evidence.
+2
Low complement
C3, C4 or CH50 below lab reference, attributable to lupus.
+2
Increased DNA binding
Raised anti-dsDNA or DNA binding above lab normal.
+2
Systemic & Haematologic (1 point each)
Fever
>38°C, not explained by infection or other non-lupus cause.
+1
Thrombocytopenia
Platelets <100,000/mm³, not drug-induced.
+1
Leukopenia
WBC <3,000/mm³, not due to drugs.
+1
Total SLEDAI-2K score
0
Important:
- This tool is for education only and does not replace specialist clinical assessment.
- SLEDAI-2K should be scored by a clinician who can attribute findings to active lupus.
- Do not change or start any treatment based solely on this calculator.
