Protective effect of hydroxychloroquine in systemic lupus erythematosus. Prospective long-term study of an Israeli cohort.
Systemic lupus erythematosus-associated irreversible organ/system damage was previously associated with various clinical and demographic features. We analysed the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SLICC/ACR DI) in a cohort of 151 Israeli patients followed for a mean (+/- s.d.) period of 45.7 +/- 37.4 months. Mean score of SLICC/ACR DI at the first and last encounters were 0.17 +/- 64 and 1.64 +/- 2.1, respectively (P < 0.0001). Multiple logistic regression analyses disclosed a statistically significant positive correlation with corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide therapy. Hydroxychloroquine therapy was significantly associated with lower SLICC/ACR DI. Although the size of our study group did not allow us to find specific organs/systems which were associated with the protective effect of hydroxychloroquine, we suggest this is due to the antiatherogenic effects attributed to antimalarial therapy in SLE.
Rheumatology Unit, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel. ymolad@clalit.org.il
Y
Y
Molad
A
A
Gorshtein
A J
AJ
Wysenbeek
D
D
Guedj
R
R
Majadla
A
A
Weinberger
M
M
Amit-Vazina
D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000962:Antimalarials; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide