Lupus band test for diagnostic evaluation in systemic lupus erythematosus

The lupus band test (LBT) using a sample of clinically normal skin was proposed as a useful diagnostic test for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is mostly performed to help diagnosing SLE in patients with insufficient clinical and serological profiles. However, most published studies on its utility are outdated and the results remain controversial.

To determine the diagnostic performance of LBT on non-lesion sun-protected (NLSP) and sun-exposed (NLSE) skin for SLE.

Consecutively presenting patients with clinical and serological suspicion of SLE who had LBT performed on non-lesion skin during January 2012 to August 2021 were retrospectively studied. LBT performed on either NLSE or NLSP skin biopsies were all included. Laboratory characteristics, number, types and patterns of deposited immunoreactants and disease activity were also assessed.

LBT was performed in 57 patients with suspected SLE. LBT was positive in 18/57, 9/28 and 6/21 patients in overall non-lesion, NLSE and NLSP, respectively. Of all patients, 23 patients were diagnosed with SLE and 34 patients with other diseases. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of LBT on non-lesion skin was 56.5% and 88.2%, respectively. The ability of the test to discriminate between those with and without SLE, assessed by the area under the Receiver-Operating Characteristic curve, was 0.72 (0.61-0.84). The sensitivity and specificity of LBT on NLSE skin was 58.3% and 87.5% while those of NLSP skin, were 57.1% and 85.7%, respectively. We found no significant correlation between the positivity of LBT and overall disease activity. Types, number and pattern of deposited immunoreactants also showed no correlation with disease activity (all p > 0.05).

Used as a diagnostic adjunct, non-lesion LBT is still of value for diagnosing SLE in inconclusive cases.