Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Effect of hydroxychloroquine dose reduction (2–3 mg/kg/day) on lipoprotein levels in stable lupus nephritis: A 12-month randomized controlled longitudinal study
Authors' conclusion
This is the first study to show that reducing HCQ to 2-3 mg/kg/day preserves lipid stability over 12 months in stable lupus nephritis patients.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive stable lupus nephritis (LN) patients using hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) at 2016-AAO recommended dose for ≥6 months
- Participants
- 47 patients
- Comparison
- HCQ dose reduction vs maintenance of 2016-AAO recommended HCQ dose
- Reduced HCQn = 21
- Maintenance HCQn = 26reference
- Primary endpoint
- Lipoprotein levels (lipid profile)
- Follow-up
- 12 months
Methodological detailslongitudinal, 12-month
- Longitudinal
- 12-month
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Total cholesterol, longitudinal (baseline vs 3 vs 12 months)
- Reduced HCQ: total cholesterol 166 (113-198) vs 153 (85-192) vs 150 (90-231) mg/dL; no change
- p = .964
- Maintenance HCQ: total cholesterol 155 (114-244) vs 154 (122-210) vs 155 (112-213) mg/dL; no change
- p = .395
- Reduced HCQ: LDL cholesterol 91 (52-163) vs 83 (41-136) vs 87 (47-165) mg/dL; remained similar
- p = .917
- Maintenance HCQ: LDL cholesterol 79 (36-114) vs 76.5 (33-111) vs 75.5 (63-131) mg/dL; remained similar
- p = .412
Further findings
Blood HCQ levels (baseline vs 3 vs 12 months)
- Reduced HCQ: 1219.4 (1041.7-1926.6) at baseline, progressive significant decrease to 651.2 (538.4-832.6) vs 468.8 (228.4-925.6) ng/mL at 3 and 12 months
- P < 0.001
- Maintenance HCQ: no changes, 1179.7 (905.5-1607.3) vs 1026.2 (710.5-1345.8) vs 907.9 (663.9-1304.2) ng/mL
- P = 0.158
Original publication
Effect of hydroxychloroquine dose reduction (2–3 mg/kg/day) on lipoprotein levels in stable lupus nephritis: A 12-month randomized controlled longitudinal study. Lupus. Published 27 December 2025. doi:10.
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