Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Higher hydroxychloroquine dose based on actual body weight is associated with lower SLE flare risks while maintaining tolerability
Authors' conclusion
No clear differences in efficacy and safety were observed between the HD and LD groups; however, a higher HCQ dose was associated with a reduced flare risk.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with SLE treated with HCQgroup 1 (overall cohort)
- Participants
- 182 patients
- Exposure
- HCQ ≥5 mg/kg actual body weight vs <5 mg/kg actual body weight
- High dose (HD)n = 60
- Outcome
- Discontinuation owing to adverse events (group 1)
- Follow-up
- 5 years
Methodological detailsinverse probability of treatment weighting
- Inverse probability of treatment weighting
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
P = 0.314
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Flare-free rate, disease duration ≥1 year (group 2) · 3 years
P = 0.239
Flare-free rate, without additional immunosuppressants/biologics after HCQ initiation (group 3) · 3 years
P = 0.141
Flares per 0.2 mg/kg increase in HCQ dose (group 3)
- HR per 0.2 mg/kg increase in HCQ dose
- 0.91 (95% CI 0.84-0.99)
Safety
Discontinuation owing to adverse events (group 1) · 5 years
P = 0.314
Original publication
Higher hydroxychloroquine dose based on actual body weight is associated with lower SLE flare risks while maintaining tolerability. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 8 May 2026. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →