Lupus & antiphospholipid syndrome
Subtherapeutic hydroxychloroquine concentration is associated with increased disease activity and greater organ damage in lupus
Authors' conclusion
The subtherapeutic HCQ concentration was associated with the development of new-onset LN, and had significant associations with disease activity and cumulative organ damage in SLE patients over time.
Study context
- Population
- SLE patients in a longitudinal cohort, assessed annually for 5 consecutive years
- Participants
- 338 patients
- Exposure
- Subtherapeutic vs therapeutic serum HCQ concentration at baseline
- Subtherapeuticn = 287
- Outcome
- Disease activity (AMS, PGA) and organ damage (SDI)
- Follow-up
- Across all 5 years
Methodological detailslongitudinal, 5-year annual assessment, generalized estimating equation (GEE) multivariable analysis
- Longitudinal
- 5-year annual assessment
- GEE multivariable analysis
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Disease activity and organ damage (multivariable GEE)
Β (AMS score)
1.398
95% CI 0.607–2.189P < 0.001
Subtherapeutic
Β (Physician's Global Assessment (PGA) score)
0.328
95% CI 0.215–0.441P < 0.001
Subtherapeutic
Β (SLICC Damage Index (SDI) score)
0.366
95% CI 0.061–0.671P = 0.019
Subtherapeutic
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
| Outcome | P value |
|---|---|
| Newly developed LNHigher incidence in subtherapeutic group | P = 0.036 |
| Prednisolone dose prescribed (mean and cumulative)Subtherapeutic vs Therapeutic · higher in subtherapeutic group | P = 0.003 |
| Prednisolone dose prescribed (mean and cumulative)Subtherapeutic vs Therapeutic · higher in subtherapeutic group | P = 0.013 |
Original publication
Subtherapeutic hydroxychloroquine concentration is associated with increased disease activity and greater organ damage in lupus. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 19 June 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →