Purpose : Subnormal left ventricular (LV) ejection fractions, impaired diastolic filling and increased LV mass have been reported in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The aim of the study was to assess the correlation with disease activity and diastolic heart function in SLE patients. Methods : A total of 117 patients with SLE (mean age: 43 years, all female) without clinical evidence of valvular or coronary disease were investigated. Two-dimensional echocardiography and M-mode echocardiography including conventional and tissue Doppler imaging were performed. Severity of disease was estimated by SLE Disease activity index (SLEDAI). The patients were divided into low SLEDAI score group (SLEDAI score ��� 8, mean 5.2) and high SLEDAI score group (SLEDAI score >9, mean 14.1). Results: High SLEDAI score group demonstrated significantly higher left ventricular mass index (LVMI, P < 0.001) and early transmitral flow velocity/early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus (E/E���, P=0.020) than low SLEDAI score group. High SLEDAI score group demonstrated insignificantly higher left atrial volume index (LAVI, P= 0.122). Conclusions: Disease activity in SLE patients without heart problem can show the positive correlation with diastolic dysfunction. However, large scale studies will be required to confirm these possibilities.