SLE A chronic multisystemic inflammatory disease with variable features, frequently including fever, weakness and fatigability, joint pains or arthritis, skin lesions on the face, neck, or upper extremities, and often affecting the kidneys, spleen, and various other organs. Also called disseminated lupus erythematosus. systemic lupus erythematosus. An inflammatory autoimmune disease of the connective tissue, characterized by fever, skin rash, joint pain or arthritis, and anemia. It occurs most commonly in women and often affects the kidneys and nervous system, as well as other organs.