Revisiting hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for patients with chronic immunity-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases

Adv Rheumatol. 2020 Jun 9;60(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s42358-020-00134-8.

Abstract

Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine, also known as antimalarial drugs, are widely used in the treatment of rheumatic diseases and have recently become the focus of attention because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Rheumatologists have been using antimalarials to manage patients with chronic immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases for decades. It is an appropriate time to review their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms impact on disease activity and survival of systemic lupus erythematosus patient, including antiplatelet effect, metabolic and lipid benefits. We also discuss possible adverse effects, adding a practical and comprehensive approach to monitoring rheumatic patients during treatment with these drugs.

Keywords: Antimalarials; Chloroquine; Chronic immune-mediated inflammatory rheumatic diseases; Hydroxychloroquine.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials / pharmacology*
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome / immunology
  • Antirheumatic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / immunology
  • COVID-19
  • Chloroquine / pharmacology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Drug Eruptions / etiology
  • Drug Interactions
  • Female
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Heart Diseases / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / pharmacology*
  • Lipids / blood
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / drug therapy
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Cutaneous / immunology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / immunology
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / mortality
  • Male
  • Pandemics
  • Platelet Aggregation / drug effects
  • Pneumonia, Viral / drug therapy
  • Pregnancy
  • Renal Insufficiency / prevention & control
  • Retinal Diseases / chemically induced
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Sjogren's Syndrome / immunology

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Antirheumatic Agents
  • Lipids
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Chloroquine
  • Glucose