What is systemic lupus erythematosus? SLE is a specific autoimmune disease involving genetics, sex hormones, environment, infection and other factors. The clinical manifestations include the involvement of various systems and organs throughout the body and the presence of a large number of autoantibodies in the serum, which are the two prominent features of SLE. The epidemiological data in China suggest that the incidence of SLE is 70 per 100,000 people and up to 113 per 100,000 women. The disease is more prevalent in women of childbearing age, with a female:male ratio of 7 – 9:1.