Possible relationship between hydroxychloroquine and electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities in...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Rheumatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a common treatment for inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
• Concerns about cardiac adverse events associated with HCQ, particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitate further investigation.
• Understanding the cardiac safety profile of HCQ in rheumatic disease patients is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prevalence and development of cardiac-adverse events in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases undergoing hydroxychloroquine treatment.
• To assess potential associations between hydroxychloroquine exposure and cardiac function via electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 80 patients (≥18 years) diagnosed with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
• Patients underwent electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram assessments.
• Statistical analyses included chi-square, t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and logistic regression to identify predictors of cardiac changes.

Main Results:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes were more frequent in patients with hypertension and higher potassium levels.
• Echocardiography changes were associated with older age, higher cumulative hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) dose, and longer HCQ exposure time.
• However, after adjusting for age, neither HCQ cumulative dose nor exposure time predicted echocardiography changes.

Conclusions:

• No significant association was found between hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) use and changes in ECG or echocardiogram findings in patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
• Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) continues to be considered a safe medication for managing inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
• Further research may explore specific patient subgroups or long-term effects, but current findings support HCQ's established safety profile.