Forty-four hospital mortality cases of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were analyzed at Tri-Service General Hospital, from 1983 to 1993. The renal failure (32%) and sepsis (32%) were the most frequent causes of death. Among them, eight critical patients who died less than 3 hospital days were also studied. Dyspnea combined lower legs edema was noted in 3, but 2 patients just complained generalized malaise. The other three patients complained Of conscious loss, abdominal pain or hemoptysis. However, the cause of death was as yet necessary to be investigated. Fever was not prominent in all except 4 cases (only one died in sepsis). As to the variable clinical symptoms and vulnerability to infection of SLE, it is indeed a challenge for the rheumatologist to evaluate and treat such patients.