Adverse cutaneous reactions to hydroxychloroquine are more common in patients with dermatomyositis than in patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus.
BACKGROUND
Hydroxychloroquine sulfate and other antimalarial drugs have been used successfully as adjunctive therapy for patients with cutaneous lesions of dermatomyositis over the past 20 years. An increased incidence of cutaneous reactions to hydroxychloroquine has been postulated to occur in patients with dermatomyositis.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if adverse cutaneous eruptions due to hydroxychloroquine are more common in patients with dermatomyositis than in those with cutaneous lupus erythematosus.


METHODS
Retrospective, age-, sex-, and race-matched case-control study.


METHODS
University-affiliated practice.


METHODS
The study comprised 42 patients with dermatomyositis (39 adults) and 39 age-, sex-, and race-matched adult patients with lupus erythematosus.


METHODS
Presence or absence of documented drug eruption due to hydroxychloroquine exposure.


RESULTS
Of 39 patients, 12 (31%) with dermatomyositis developed a cutaneous reaction to hydroxychloroquine. Among age-, sex-, and race-matched patients with cutaneous lupus erythematosus, only 1 developed a cutaneous reaction to hydroxychloroquine. None of the reactions observed in our patients resulted in serious morbidity or mortality. Additionally, 4 patients with dermatomyositis who reacted to hydroxychloroquine were treated with oral chloroquine phosphate, 2 of whom also reacted to chloroquine phosphate.


CONCLUSIONS
When contemplating antimalarial therapy for dermatomyositis, both the physician and the patient should recognize that non-life-threatening cutaneous reactions may occur in approximately one third of patients and that perhaps one half of those who react to hydroxychloroquine will also react to chloroquine.
Pelle
Michelle T
MT
Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
Callen
Jeffrey P
JP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003882:Dermatomyositis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015994:Incidence; D008178:Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution
D006886:Hydroxychloroquine