Very Low Blood Hydroxychloroquine Concentration As an Objective Marker of Poor Adherence to Treatment of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Overview

Journal Ann Rheum Dis

Specialty Rheumatology

Date 2007 Feb 28

PMID 17324970

Citations 65

Authors

Nathalie Costedoat-Chalumeau

Zahir Amoura

Jean-Sebastien Hulot

Guy Aymard

Gaelle Leroux

Donata Marra

Philippe Lechat

Jean-Charles Piette

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Poor adherence to treatment is difficult to diagnose accurately. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has a long elimination half-life and its concentration in whole blood can be measured easily.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of a very low blood HCQ concentration as a marker of poor compliance in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: HCQ concentrations were determined on a blinded basis in 203 unselected patients with SLE. At the end of the study, the patients were informed of the results and retrospectively interviewed about their adherence to treatment.

Results: 14 (7%) patients said that they had stopped taking HCQ (n = 8) or had taken it no more than once or twice a week (n = 6). Their mean (SD) HCQ concentration was 26 (46) ng/ml. range (0-129 ng/ml) By contrast, the other patients had a mean HCQ concentration of 1079 ng/ml range (205-2629 ng/ml). The principal barriers to adherence were related to HCQ treatment characteristics. Adherence subsequently improved in 10 of the 12 patients whose blood HCQ concentrations were remeasured.

Conclusions: Very low whole-blood HCQ concentrations are an objective marker of prolonged poor compliance in patients with SLE. Regular drug assays might help doctors in detect non-compliance and serve as a basis for counselling and supporting these patients.

Citing Articles

Evolving Concepts in Treat-to-Target Strategies for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Nikolopoulos D, Lourenco M, Depascale R, Triantafyllias K, Parodis I Mediterr J Rheumatol. 2024; 35(Suppl 2):328-341.

PMID: 39193182 PMC: 11345603. DOI: 10.31138/mjr.290424.eci.

Therapeutic Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels Are Associated With Fewer Hospitalizations and Possible Reduction of Health Disparities in Lupus.

Garg S, Astor B, Saric C, Valiente G, Kolton L, Chewning B Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2024; 76(12):1606-1616.

PMID: 39187461 PMC: 11605782. DOI: 10.1002/acr.25422.

Treatment patterns in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in New Zealand.

Lao C, Dantzig P, Tugnet N, Lawrenson R, White D Lupus. 2024; 33(11):1260-1273.

PMID: 39149963 PMC: 11420593. DOI: 10.1177/09612033241274911.

Hydroxychloroquine levels in pregnancy and materno-fetal outcomes in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Alle G, Guettrot-Imbert G, Larosa M, Murarasu A, Lazaro E, Morel N Rheumatology (Oxford). 2024; 64(3):1225-1233.

PMID: 38837707 PMC: 11879311. DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keae302.

Adherence to low-dose methotrexate in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis using a sensitive methotrexate assay.

Mohlmann J, de Roock S, Egas A, Weijden E, Doeleman M, Huitema A Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2024; 22(1):52.

PMID: 38715014 PMC: 11075236. DOI: 10.1186/s12969-024-00988-y.

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