Variability of the lupus band test. Results in 18 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Six simultaneous skin biopsies were performed on each of 18 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Variability was found both in the lupus band test (LBT) findings and in the presence of its individual immunoglobulin components and C3 in adjacent biopsy specimens taken from both sun-exposed and sun-protected sites. This variability in immune deposits is a major factor in the lack of reproducible association between LBT findings and clinical and serologic indicators of disease activity.