Chronic inflammatory disease of unknown cause, affecting women more frequently than men. Symptoms include arthritis, a red rash over the nose and cheeks (butterfly rash), fatigue, and weakness, followed by fever, photosensitivity, and skin lesions starting in the neck region and spreading to mucous membranes and other tissues, damaging the tissues involved. Glomerulonephritis, pericarditis, anemia, and neuritis may develop. Renal failure and neurological abnormalities often occur as the disease progresses. The disease may be controlled by corticosteroids; salicylates and antimalarial drugs are also sometimes used; the patient is warned to avoid fatigue and exposure to the sun. Also called disseminated lupus erythematosus, lupus erythematosus.