Journal
LUPUS
Volume 27, Issue 2, Pages 265-272Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD
DOI: 10.1177/0961203317717631
Keywords
Systemic lupus erythematosus; hydroxychloroquine; quality of life; treatment adherence
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Background/objective The objectives of this paper are to assess the extent of and the factors associated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) non-adherence in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients with prolonged inactive disease and to investigate relationships between blood HCQ concentration and quality of life (QoL). Methods Consecutive SLE patients, in remission for at least one year and taking a stable dose of HCQ were investigated. At study entry (T0) and six months later (T6) a blood venous sample was taken to measure whole blood concentration of [HCQ] and desethylchloroquine ([DCQ]). Moreover, at T0 each patient completed validated questionnaires assessing QoL, disability, anxiety, depression and visual analogue scales for fatigue, pain, general health (GH), and self-assessment of disease activity. Results Eighty-three patients with a median [HCQ] of 327ng/ml were enrolled. At T0, 24 (29%) were defined as non-adherent ([HCQ]<100ng/ml). At multiple logistic regression analysis the physical summary of SF-36 (p=0.038), and the concomitant use of immunosuppressants (p=0.010) were independently associated with non-adherence. A significant increase of HCQ adherence was observed at T6 (p<0.05). Conclusions A better health status and the concomitant prescription of immunosuppressants represent risk factors for HCQ non-adherence in SLE patients in remission. Monitoring HCQ levels might represent an important opportunity to improve adherence.
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