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Objectives Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, multisystem autoimmune disease with heterogeneous clinical manifestations that complicate recognition and delay diagnosis, contributing to substantial clinical, emotional, and socioeconomic burden.Early identification of SLE in primary care is essential to shorten the time to specialist referral.Methods We developed an expert-based diagnostic algorithm to reduce diagnostic delays in women in Croatia ( figure 1). An expert working group comprising five heads of tertiary rheumatology centers in Croatia reviewed preliminary data on SLE diagnosis and performed a comprehensive Medline/PubMed literature review on causes of diagnosis delay and strategies for improvement. During three meetings, the expert group identified local-specific barriers, developed a women-specific diagnostic algorithm and educational plan for primary care physicians (PCPs). Key barriers included limited SLE awareness among PCPs, nonspecific and multiorgan presentations, absence of diagnostic tests, reliance on classification rather than diagnostic criteria, insufficient training and referral protocols, workforce overload, and shortages of rheumatologists/immunologists, leading to multiple unnecessary referrals before specialist assessment.Results The group agreed that prompt referral to a rheumatologist/immunologist is warranted when 1 or more clinical symptom (arthralgia/myalgia/malar rash/photosensitivity/alopecia/oral ulceration/fatigue/fever) is accompanied by elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and 1 or more laboratory abnormality (urinary abnormalities, hypocomplementemia, or cytopenias).The proposed training strategy consists of interactive small-group workshops (10 PCPs) using real clinical cases, organized through regional primary care managers. A pilot study is planned in which trained PCPs apply the algorithm with prospective follow-up of their patients to evaluate its impact on diagnostic delay.Abstract LBA:01:33 Figure 1Conclusions The heterogeneous manifestations and variable clinical course of SLE make early recognition and adequate medical care challenging. Education of PCPs and development of practical guidelines for referral to rheumatologists and clinical immunologists are essential for early diagnosis and timely intervention. Additionally, increasing awareness of SLE within the broader medical community is crucial for improved patient outcomes.