Hydroxychloroquine lowers heart risks in skin lupus patients

Jun Kang, M.D., assistant professor of dermatology, Johns Hopkins University School of MedicineTreatments for discoid lupus erythematosus often focus on addressing skin symptoms over known systemic complications, such as cardiovascular issues. Our study found that hydroxychloroquine use was associated with better cardiovascular and cardiometabolic health outcomes, including diabetes, in patients after five years."

The first cohort was composed of 106 adult (mean age 47.8 years) Johns Hopkins Medicine patients of Black (67.0%), white (26.4%) and Asian (6.6%) heritage. Some 46 adults from this group had never taken hydroxychloroquine, and the remainder were actively using it for treatment (60 adults).

"All patients with skin lupus will benefit if we can shift broader clinical perspectives of the disease and develop clear guidelines that address how it harms health beyond the skin," says Kang.

Source:

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Journal reference: