Lupus is an important disease and our knowledge and understanding of it has grown rapidly in recent years. It is, therefore, a very good time for LUPUS UK to revise and extend a guide that covers all aspects of the disease in a clear, readable way.

The primary purpose of this guide is to raise awareness of lupus among General Practitioners and Associated Health Professionals with the aim of ensuring early diagnosis and treatment of patients. I am sure it will not only do this but will also make a good text on the subject for patients and their families who are increasingly literate in medicine and the medical sciences.

I congratulate LUPUS UK and Yvonne Norton on undertaking this task and producing the revised guide which I expect to be an immense success.