Hello Lola
Yes one quickly gets into a confused and complicated area and my comments below were within a very narrow context. Firstly that people often assume they have APS because they have antiphospholipid antibodies when in fact having those antibodies might only indicate a slightly higher risk than people without them. Having the antibodies is not a diagnosis anymore than having a positive ANA.
Doctors make a diagnosis that is most useful for doctoring. The criteria are formal guidelines and might not be adequate in practice. The Sapporo Criteria are listed here
http://www.thelupussite.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52667
There have been attempts to revise it. It probably has the same shortcomings as any Criteria list most clearly evidenced by Dr Hughes comments in his Alternative Criteria list on the limited usefulness of the ACR list.
Doctors have diferent diagnosing habits too. I am sure that many people diagnosed with SLE would have been diagnosed with UCTD by other physicians who stick more closely to criteria. It might make a big difference for insurance purposes since as far as I know none of the connective tissue diseases have the same dire impact on insurance as SLE
I have a diagnosis of SLE quite simply because I have enough criteria for it but it isn't systemic lupus in reality If I was ever asked what my diagnosis is I guess I would have to put SLE and then say exactly how it affected me.
I haven't filled in any insurance forms for years so I suppose it depends what questions they ask. Health questionnaires I have seen ask very general questions such as have you ever had a stroke or thrombosis or seizures or heart problems, cancer and so on.
It can easily get very problematical and it would be interesting to know the experiences of people who have taken out travel insurances lately.
I hope all is well enough with you and Immi

Hugs
Clare