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Long-term hydroxychloroquine, low-dose aspirin led to fewer cardiovascular events in patients with lupus
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Long-term use of hydroxychloroquine and low-dose aspirin use led to fewer cardiovascular events in patients with lupus, according to a recently published analysis.
Serena Fasano, MD, from the University of Naples, and colleagues assessed 189 patients with lupus and no history of cardiovascular events who were admitted to their unit between 2000 and 2014. The median follow-up was 13 years.
Investigators found 10 cardiovascular events during the study period. They found hydroxychloroquine use of greater than 600 g for at least 5 years (ratio = 0.04) with aspirin was linked with reduced cardiovascular events compared with patients who had a lower dose of hydroxychloroquine or who received aspirin alone. In addition, antiphospholipid positivity (ratio = 17.96) and history of hypertension (ratio = 18.05) were linked with an increased risk for thrombosis.
“Our results suggest that prolonged use of [hydroxychloroquine] HCQ plus [aspirin] ASA is thromboprotective in [systemic lupus erythematosus] SLE and provides additional evidence for its continued use in patients with SLE,” the researchers wrote. – by Will A. Offit
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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