Is chloroquine obsolete in treatment of rheumatic disease?
Retinal changes associated with chloroquine occurred in 22 out of 222 patients on long-term therapy for rheumatic diseases and were related to patient age, total dose, and duration of treatment. Ophthalmic review showed progression of the retinopathy with deterioration of visual acuity in only 1 case while the remainder retained normal vision. The results suggest that the risks of ocular toxicity related to chloroquine therapy are acceptably low.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002738:Chloroquine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D012174:Retinitis Pigmentosa / Q000139:chemically induced; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000187:drug effects
D002738:Chloroquine