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.
Molad
Y
Y
Rheumatology Unit, Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel. ymolad@clalit.org.il
Gorshtein
A
A
Wysenbeek
A J
AJ
Guedj
D
D
Majadla
R
R
Weinberger
A
A
Amit-Vazina
M
M
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