OBJECTIVES: To assess the characteristics of SLE patients currently experiencing flares in Europe. METHODS: A multi-center retrospective medical chart review of adult (16-89 yrs) SLE patients was conducted in 1Q2014 among rheumatologists/internal medicine physicians in UK/France/Germany/Italy/Spain (5EU). Physicians were recruited from a geographically representative sample in each country. Approx. 5 consecutive eligible persistent active or relapse remitting SLE patients currently managed as part of usual care were identified within the study observation window. Physicians abstracted de-identified patient data on disease characteristics, lab values and treatment patterns. Patient disease status and humanistic burden was assessed by physician per clinical judgment & patient interaction. Patients experiencing a flare were identified for analysis. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: SLE patients experiencing flares had significant clinical and humanistic burden across the studied countries. Further scrutiny is warranted to assess the modalities of care delivered to this patient group to alleviate their burden.