Serologic methods currently in use for the study of systemic L.E. offer a possible means for early identification of that proportion of patients with a diagnosis of discoid L.E. who may develop generalized manifestations. Use of these methods in a group of sixteen patients with a diagnosis of chronic discoid L.E. reveals that some patients with only skin abnormalities may be found to have subtle immunopathologic manifestations which are strongly suggestive of the systemic disease. Copyright © 1961 American College of Rheumatology
