Appendix A: Case Definitions for Neuropsychiatric Syndromes in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Aseptic Meningitis

Syndrome of fever, headache, and meningeal irritation with CSF pleocytosis, and negative CSF cultures.

Diagnostic criteria:

All the following:

1. Acute or subacute onset of headache with photophobia, neck stiffness, and fever
2. Signs of meningeal irritation
3. Abnormal CSF

Exclusions:

CNS or meningeal inflammation due to:

1. Infection by bacteria, mycobacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites
2. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
3. Malignancy (leukemia, lymphoma, or carcinoma) or granulomatous disease (sarcoidosis)
4. Medications: NSAIDs, intravenous immunoglobulin, azathioprine, etc.

Ascertainment:

History and physical examination

CSF examination for cells, glucose, protein, culture

Record:

• Basic descriptors

(References: 104, 105)

To Index | Previous (Anxiety Disorder) | Next (Autonomic Disorder) | To References