Optimizing Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels and Long-Term Hydroxychloroquine Intake Could Lower ASCVD Risk…

Cohort studyArthritis care & research· Aug 2026

Optimizing Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels and Long-Term Hydroxychloroquine Intake Could Lower ASCVD Risk and Prevent Polypharmacy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Shivani Garg, Murray Urowitz, Charlie Dentz … Nathalie Costedoat-Chalumeau

RheumatologyCohort studyTreatmentQ1IF 3.7

Low hydroxychloroquine blood levels and adherence linked to higher atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in lupus

Optimizing Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels and Long-Term Hydroxychloroquine Intake Could Lower ASCVD Risk and Prevent Polypharmacy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Shivani Garg … Nathalie Costedoat-Chalumeau

Arthritis care & research · Aug 2026

Background

Hydroxychloroquine (hydroxychloroquine) is the cornerstone of systemic lupus erythematosus (systemic lupus erythematosus) management with benefits extending beyond systemic lupus erythematosus control, including protection against atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease).

Methods

In this prospective longitudinal study, 248 adults with systemic lupus erythematosus from the Wisconsin cohort (meeting 2019 ACR/EULAR criteria) taking hydroxychloroquine and completing baseline and 1-year follow-up visits were included.

n = 248 adults

Results

+2.1%

low hydroxychloroquine levels and adherence raised 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk

n = 248 adults

More results

Those who remained in or transitioned into these low-exposure categories over one year had the highest atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk at follow-up (5.7%).

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Conclusion · 1 of 2

Maintaining low long-term hydroxychloroquine intake and very low hydroxychloroquine blood levels increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Interventions promoting sustained adherence and therapeutic hydroxychloroquine levels may enhance cardiovascular outcomes and reduce unnecessary preventive therapies.

Optimizing Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels and Long-Term Hydroxychloroquine Intake Could Lower ASCVD Risk and Prevent Polypharmacy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Optimizing Hydroxychloroquine Blood Levels and Long-Term Hydroxychloroquine Intake Could Lower ASCVD Risk and Prevent Polypharmacy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

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