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HCQ may improve pregnancy outcomes for women with antiphospholipid syndrome

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Treatment with hydroxychloroquine may reduce pregnancy risks and increase gestational duration in women with antiphospholipid syndrome, according to data presented at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology.

Researchers conducted an observational study of 170 pregnancies in 96 women with antiphospholipid syndrome (aPL). Of the patients, 31 women treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for at least 6 months prior to conception underwent 65 pregnancies. In 65 women, 119 pregnancies occurred during the study period.

A significantly higher rate of live births was observed in the patients who received HCQ (66.7%) compared with patients who did not receive HCQ (57.1%). Pregnancy morbidity was lower (47.1%) in the group treated with HCQ compared with untreated women (63%), and pregnancy duration was longer in the treatment group (27.6 weeks vs. 21.5 weeks). Vaginal labor was more prevalent in patients treated with HCQ (37.3% vs. 14.3%), and fetal death after 10 weeks of gestation were more infrequent in treated women (2% vs. 10.9%), according to the researchers.

A lower frequency of placental complications, including pre-eclampsia, abruption placenta and intrauterine growth restriction, was observed in HCQ-treated women (2% vs. 10.9%). Additionally, the odds ratio for the absence of pregnancy complications was 2.2 for women who received HCQ before and during pregnancy. – by Shirley Pulawski

Reference:

Sciascia S, et al. Paper #OP0188. Presented at: European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology; June 10-13, 2015; Rome.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.