Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Hydroxychloroquine daily dose, hydroxychloroquine blood levels and the risk of flares in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors' conclusion
Patients with low oral HCQ dosage tend to have more flares, although the difference was not statistically significant. Higher HCQ blood levels were protective against flare occurrence.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with SLE taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for at least 6 months, followed for 24 months
- Participants
- 83 patients
- Exposure
- Oral HCQ ≤5 mg/kg/day vs >5 mg/kg/day
- Outcome
- Incidence of new SLE flares
Methodological details24-month follow-up, Cox regression
- 24-month follow-up
- Cox regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
SLE flares
- Difference in flare rate between the two oral dosages not statistically significant; trend for high HCQ dose being associated with a lower flare rate
- p=0.08
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Mean HCQ blood levels by oral dosage
- Difference between the two oral dosages not statistically significant; HCQ blood levels did not correlate with prescribed HCQ dose
Factors associated with SLE flares (Cox analysis)
- Higher HCQ blood levels and older age at baseline protective against flare occurrence; concomitant immunosuppressant therapy significant positive association
Original publication
Hydroxychloroquine daily dose, hydroxychloroquine blood levels and the risk of flares in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus Sci Med. Published 11 January 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →