Introduction Systematic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease which is associated with multiple target organ damage. Multiple hospitalizations can occur during their lifelong. Systemic vasculitis manifestation is one of the most important reasons leading to refer to rheumatology clinics. The aim of this study is to evaluate different picture of systemic vasculitis in lupus patients.

Materials and methods Eighty-one known SLE patients based on 2012 Revised Criteria who were visited in Rheumatology Department of Imam Reza Hospital from January 2012 to December 2014 having undergone a thorough physical examination by rheumatologist, classified based on demographic and SLE-related vasculitis manifestations. We focused on vasculitis manifestation in this group of patient.

Results In total 17.3% of our lupus patients were diagnosed as vasculitis. In the vasculitis group cutaneous vasculitis (50%), thromoembolic events (7/1%), cerebral vasculitis (7/1%), retinal vasculitis (7/1%) and aortic involvement were detected. Systemic vasculitis is the second most common causes for referring to the hospital. Mean SLEDAI and SLICC scores were 22.79 (±13.29) and 1.95 (±1.46), in vasculitis group respectively.

Considering SLICC SLE Criteria, prevalence of vasculitis lesion were found more often in ocular, renal, gastrointestinal and CNS system (p=0.03, 0.01,<0.001,<0.03 respectively.

Conclusion Vasculitis manifestation in lupus probably is one of the most important and life threatening complication which may have brought these patients to rheumatology centre. In this study, we found that vasculitis may be the first presentation of SLE patients with severe organ damage with no previous history of this disease.