Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Reference Range of Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels That Can Reduce Odds of Active Lupus and Prevent Flares
Main finding · Active lupus (SLEDAI ≥6) at baselineResult — go to the resultAdjusted odds ratio 0.29 95% CI 0.08–0.96Authors' conclusion
An effective reference range of HCQ blood levels, 750 to 1,200 ng/mL, was associated with 71% lower odds of active lupus, and maintaining levels within this range reduced odds of flares by 26%.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with SLE on hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) with HCQ whole-blood levels and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) measured at baseline and at routine follow-up
- Participants
- 158 baseline patient visits
- Exposure
- HCQ whole-blood levels within 750 to 1,200 ng/mL vs levels outside this range
- Outcome
- Active lupus (SLEDAI ≥6) at baseline, associated with HCQ blood levels
- Follow-up
- Baseline
Methodological detailscross-sectional baseline and longitudinal follow-up, mixed regression analysis, convenience sampling
- Cross-sectional baseline and longitudinal follow-up
- Mixed regression analysis
- Convenience sampling
Main finding
Active lupus (SLEDAI ≥6) at baseline
Adjusted odds ratio
0.29
95% CI 0.08–0.96
HCQ 750–1,200 ng/mLvs Outside range
aOR 0.29 (95% CI 0.08–0.96)
As reported in the abstract
- Active lupus among baseline visits
- 19%
- Odds of active lupus lower within range
- 71%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Flare during follow-up · nine-month median follow-up
- Patients who flared
- 17%
- Reduction in odds of flare with levels maintained within range
- 26%
- Convenience sampling during a pandemic; 42 patients
Original publication
Reference Range of Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels That Can Reduce Odds of Active Lupus and Prevent Flares. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 28 November 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →