TUG1 and systemic lupus erythematosus: In the present study, there was an association between the TUG1 homozygous genotype and a higher SLEDAI score, indicating that TUG1 gene polymorphism affects the clinical and laboratory phenotype of the disease, with more severe illness in homozygous genotypes, and that TUG1 may be involved in the pathogenesis and prognosis of SLE.