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. 2014 Nov 20;2014:816729. doi: 10.1155/2014/816729

Table 3.

Patient reported flare triggers.

Borderline SLE
ACR 3+1 (N = 21)
SLE
ACR 4+
(N = 80)
All patients
(N = 101)
Number (%) Number (%) Number (%)
Could you identify any triggers to these events?
 Stress 13 (61.9) 41 (51.6) 54 (53.5)
 Doing too much/run down 9 (42.9) 38 (47.5) 47 (37.6)
 Sunlight exposure 5 (23.8) 32 (40) 37 (36.6)
 Weather/temperature changes 4 (19) 16 (20) 20 (19.8)
 Overheating 5 (23.8) 15 (18.8) 20 (19.8)
 Infection 3 (14.3) 13 (16.3) 16 (15.8)
 Lack of sleep/insomnia 2 (9.5) 11 (13.8) 13 (12.9)
 Cold temperatures 1 (4.8) 9 (11.3) 10 (9.9)
 Work 2 (9.5) 7 (8.8) 9 (8.9)
 Being upset 3 (14.3) 6 (7.5) 9 (8.9)
 Strong chemical exposure 4 (19.1) 4 (5) 8 (7.9)
 Change in medicines 2 (9.5) 6 (7.5) 8 (7.9)
 Fluorescent light exposure 1 (4.8) 5 (6.3) 6 (5.9)
 Foods (spicy, bread) 3 (14.3) 3 (3.8) 6 (5.9)
 Hormonal periods 5 (6.3) 5 (5)

Note: Other triggers reported in small numbers were dehydration, alcohol, long car journeys, inactivity, Christmas, gardening, allergic reaction, isolation, smoking, grandchildren, air conditioning, excitement, late night, and partying hard.