High resolution CT chest was performed for patients
with radiological findings consistent with SLS. Disease
activity was assessed using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) [23] while assessment of organ
damage was made using the Systemic Lupus International
Collaborating Clinics/ACR (SLICC/ACR) index [24]. The
study was approved by the local ethics committee and it conforms
to the standards currently applied in the Cairo University
Teaching Hospitals. All patients gave their informed
consent prior to their inclusion in the study.