['To evaluate and compare responsiveness of laboratory and clinical measures over 4 months in outpatient systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).', "We studied 23 patients with SLE at monthly intervals during 4 mo and collected demographic data, prednisone dose, global patient and physician assessment of disease activity on 10 cm visual analog scales (VAS), scores on 3 clinical measures of lupus disease activity [SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), SLE activity measure (SLAM), lupus activity index (LAI)], and results of 5 routine laboratory tests [erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), anti-dsDNA, C3, C4, circulating immune complexes]. We calculated correlations between a particular measure and our gold standard (physician's VAS) for individual patients and pooled this information using a novel application of the meta-analytic approach.", 'The range of disease activity by patient and physician VAS varied from inactive to moderately active> Change in patient global assessment and all 3 clinical measures showed significant positive correlations with change in physician VAS (p < 0.05). Change in ESR, anti-dsDNA, or level of C3, C4, or circulating immune complexes did not correlate with change in physician VAS.'] Are small changes in outpatients lupus activity better detected by clinical instruments than by laboratory tests?