The STAT4 variant has previously been associated with a more severe disease phenotype including ischaemic stroke and increased SDI scores.17–21 Patients with SLE carrying this risk variant display an augmented IFN-γ production in T cells and elevated STAT1 expression in B cells.39 40 Because of the entailed potential therapeutic opportunity, we believe our confirmation of the association of this variant with organ damage is valuable. Here, STAT1 is linked to ischemic stroke.