Collagen disease (lupus and others)
What the FAA's documents say about collagen disease (lupus and others), in plain words, with the FAA's own words one press away.
FAA term: Collagen Disease
- The Guide's Item 40 Cutaneous table also has a row naming dermatomyositis and lupus erythematosus, with evaluation data of its own.
Short version
The FAA's table has one row for it.
| Situation | What the examiner does | Pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Collagen diseaseAcute polymyositis, dermatomyositis, lupus, or polyarteritis nodosa | Defers to the FAA | FAA review |
Show the FAA's words: the FAA's table for Collagen disease (lupus and others)
- Collagen disease · FAA review
Acute polymyositis, dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus, or polyarteritis nodosa, for all classes. The evaluation data is a current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected (as printed), medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Acute Polymyositis;Dermatomyositis; Lupus Erythematosus; or Polyarteritis Nodosa … All … Submit a current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected, medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports … Requires FAA Decision
The FAA pathways for collagen disease (lupus and others)
- FAA reviewYour AME defers. The FAA decides.Collagen disease
Your plan
Step 1: The current status report
What the table's evaluation data asks for.A current status report.
To include
- Functional status
- Frequency and severity of episodes
- Organ systems effected (as printed)
- Medications with side effects
The same sentence also names
- All pertinent medical reports
Show the FAA's words: The current status report
Submit a current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected, medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports
FAA source: Collagen Disease. FAA date 29 March 2023; checked by Crosscheck 14 October 2026.
What the examiner checks
Collagen diseaseDefers to the FAAFAA review
The evaluation data is a current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected (as printed), medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
If the examiner defers
Show the FAA's words: what the examiner does on each row
- Collagen disease · FAA review
Acute polymyositis, dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus, or polyarteritis nodosa, for all classes. The evaluation data is a current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected (as printed), medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports. The disposition is Requires FAA Decision.
Acute Polymyositis;Dermatomyositis; Lupus Erythematosus; or Polyarteritis Nodosa … All … Submit a current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected, medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports … Requires FAA Decision
If the examiner defersFAA review
The table marks its one row, acute polymyositis, dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus, or polyarteritis nodosa, Requires FAA Decision.
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1. A current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected (as printed), medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports.
Show the FAA's words: if the examiner defers
When the examiner defers
- Reason 1
The table marks its one row, acute polymyositis, dermatomyositis, lupus erythematosus, or polyarteritis nodosa, Requires FAA Decision.
Acute Polymyositis;Dermatomyositis; Lupus Erythematosus; or Polyarteritis Nodosa … Requires FAA Decision
What the FAA lists to send
- Item 1
A current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected (as printed), medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports.
Submit a current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected, medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports
Good to know
Points from the FAA's own documents that are easy to miss.
What a progress note must include
In most cases it should come from a visit with the treating physician no more than 90 days ago, and cover the history, medications with dosages and side effects, exam findings, test results, diagnosis, assessment and plan, prognosis and follow-up. The FAA's sheet says to make sure the physician adds the prognosis. A portal note or an After Visit Summary that does not meet these criteria is not enough, and neither is a simple "ok to fly" letter. The FAA's documents also call it a status report.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 1
your patient portal to print out “notes” or an “After Visit Summary (AVS).” … Patient Portal notes or an AVS that do not meet the criteria listed below for a detailed Clinical Progress Note are NOT sufficient for FAA purposes. … To be “current,” in MOST CASES, the detailed Clinical Progress Note should be from an evaluation in which you saw your treating physician no more than 90 days ago. … It Must include the following items: … A summary of the history of the condition, … Current medications, dosages, and side effects (if any); … Clinical exam findings; … Results of any testing performed; … Diagnosis; … Assessment and Plan; … Prognosis (This item may not be on a standard progress note, make sure your physician adds this information.); and … Follow-up … Please note: A letter stating, “Mr. Smith is ok to fly” (or any other simple note), is NOT a current, detailed Clinical Progress Note and is NOT acceptable. … You may also see this called a “current status report” or “status report” in current FAA Guidance. Any reference to a “status report” equals the criteria listed on this sheet.
Where all pertinent medical reports sit
The row's one sentence asks for a current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected (as printed), medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports. It can be read with the medical reports as part of the status report or as a second thing beside it, and the table does not say which.
Show the FAA's words: good to know, 2
Submit a current status report to include functional status, frequency and severity of episodes, organ systems effected, medications with side effects and all pertinent medical reports
FAA sources
Every FAA document this page relies on, with the FAA's own date and the date Crosscheck last read it. The documents to print open at the FAA, so they are always the FAA's current ones.
This reports what the FAA has published. It is not medical advice, and it does not say how the FAA or an examiner will decide a case.