title: Effect of hydroxychloroquine on the lipid profile of patients with Sjögren syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Many studies have highlighted the hypolipidemic action of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). We investigated the effect of HCQ on the lipid profile of patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The present retrospective observational study included 71 female patients with SS treated with HCQ. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and atherogenic index (TC/HDL) were measured at baseline, after 6 months, and 1, 3, and 5 years after initiation of HCQ treatment. Analysis to investigate changes over time was performed in the entire patient group and in the separate subgroups: those receiving (21 patients) and those not receiving (50 patients) hypolipidemic treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For the entire group of patients a statistically significant decrease in TC was noted (levels before treatment 220 ± 41 mg/dl, and at 5 yrs 206 ± 32 mg/dl, p = 0.006). A statistically significant difference was observed in the levels of HDL (57 ± 14 mg/dl vs 67 ± 17 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and in atherogenic index (4.0 ± 1.3 vs 3.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.001). Patients not receiving a hypolipidemic agent during the same period demonstrated a decrease in TC (214 ± 40 mg/dl vs 208 ± 34 mg/dl, p = 0.049), an increase in HDL levels (55 ± 15 mg/dl vs 67 ± 18 mg/dl, p < 0.001), and a decrease in atherogenic index (4.0 ± 1.4 vs 3.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.001). In the subgroup of patients receiving hypolipidemic treatment, the respective changes in their lipid profile were not significant in the first years but became significant in the long term.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of HCQ in patients with SS was related to a statistically significant decrease in TC, an increase in HDL, and improvement in the atherogenic index.
authors.affiliation: From the Rheumatology Clinic, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Michail P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Migkos
authors.forename: Theodora E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Markatseli
authors.forename: Chrisoula
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iliou
authors.forename: Paraskevi V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Voulgari
authors.forename: Alexandros A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Drosos
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012859:Sjogren's Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D008075:Lipoproteins, HDL; D008077:Lipoproteins, LDL; D014280:Triglycerides; D006886:Hydroxychloroquine
keywords: HIGH-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL; HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE; LOW-DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN CHOLESTEROL; SJOGREN SYNDROME; TOTAL CHOLESTEROL