Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Hydroxychloroquine discontinuation in SLE: a retrospective cohort study with 3-year follow-up
Authors' conclusion
50% of patients who discontinued HCQ flared within 2 years. Low C3 levels at baseline were associated with increased risk of flares.
Study context
- Population
- Adult SLE patients who discontinued HCQ; follow-up up to 36 months
- Participants
- 42 patients
- Exposure
- Low C3 vs normal C3 at baseline
- Outcome
- Incidence of SLE flares following HCQ discontinuation
- Follow-up
- Up to 36 months
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Flares after HCQ discontinuation
- At least one flare over 36 months
- 21 (50%)
- Severe flare
- 10
- Repeated flares
- 8
- Flare-free
- 19
- Flare during first year
- 12 (29%)
- Flare during second year
- 15 (36%)
- Flare during third year
- 14 (38%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | HR (95% CI) | P value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flare by baseline C3Flared earlier and more frequently (log-rank P < 0.001) | 10.18 (3.26–31.84) | P < 0.001 | |
| 0.050.21520Hazard ratio (log scale) |
- Flare by baseline C3 — Low C3 at baseline associated with any flare vs no flare
- P < 0.001
- Flare by baseline C3 — Low C3 at baseline associated with repeated flares vs no flare
- P < 0.001
- Flare by baseline C3 — Low C3 at baseline associated with severe flares vs no flare
- P = 0.014
Flare by baseline C3
- Other clinical and laboratory factors not associated with flare prevention
Original publication
Hydroxychloroquine discontinuation in SLE: a retrospective cohort study with 3-year follow-up. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 15 September 2025. doi:10.
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