Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Hydroxychloroquine Improves Low Complement Levels
Authors' conclusion
We observed significant improvement in complement levels when HCQ was started and among those with higher whole blood levels of HCQ, particularly with respect to C4.
Study context
- Population
- Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) cohort with prospectively collected data
- Participants
- 57 vs 56
- Exposure
- Starting hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) vs not starting HCQ; higher vs lower HCQ whole blood levels
- Starting HCQn = 57
- Not starting HCQn = 56reference
- Outcome
- Changes in complement level
Methodological detailsnew starts on HCQ analysis, all cohort visits analysis, conditional logistic regression
- New starts on HCQ analysis
- All cohort visits analysis
- Conditional logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Normalization of C4 level (new starts on HCQ analysis)
P = 0.011
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Increase in C3 and C4 level (new starts on HCQ analysis)Starting HCQ vs Not starting HCQ · significantly greater increase | P = 0.048 |
| Increase in C3 and C4 level (new starts on HCQ analysis)Starting HCQ vs Not starting HCQ · significantly greater increase | P = 0.017 |
Normal C4 levels by HCQ whole blood level (all cohort visits analysis)
- Higher probability of normal C4 in visits with higher HCQ whole blood levels, OR depending on the levels
- 1.8-2.6
- Relationship most pronounced for whole blood HCQ levels of 200 ng/mL or more
Original publication
Hydroxychloroquine Improves Low Complement Levels. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 2 July 2024. doi:10.
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