Lupus News

Shortages of hydroxychloroquine, sparked by its still unproven potential as a COVID-19 treatment, may soon force rheumatologists to make difficult decisions regarding which of their patients receive the drug, and at what dosage, according to a study published in The Journal of Rheumatology.

More than 80% of surveyed U.S. pharmacists believe that hydroxychloroquine sulfate should be used as a potential treatment for COVID-19, raising access concerns among rheumatologists for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis who rely on the drug.

The FDA has approved an abbreviated new drug application for hydroxychloroquine sulfate tablets to address ongoing shortages of the drug sparked by its still unproven potential as a COVID-19 treatment.

Black women who experience sexual and physical abuse during childhood are at an increased risk for developing systemic lupus erythematosus as an adult, according to data published in Arthritis Care & Research.

Rheumatologists, rheumatology patients and the organizations who represent both have reacted this week with a mixture of hope and dread following the FDA’s decision allowing the emergency use of hydroxychloroquine to treat some patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

More than 50 rheumatology societies, including the American College of Rheumatology, have urged U.S. governors to ensure judicious use of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine for investigational COVID-19 purposes, given that these drugs are essential for many rheumatology patients.

An international group of more than a dozen rheumatologists have cosigned an article published in Annals of Internal Medicine discouraging the off-label use of hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19, until said use is justified by data and the drug’s supply is replenished.

In the wake of increasing reports of hydroxychloroquine shortages in the United States, sparked by its still-untested potential as a COVID-19 treatment, the American College of Rheumatology has issued new guidelines on its scarce allocation.

Phase 3 results from the AURORA study indicate treatment with the immunosuppressant drug voclosporin was superior to standard of care for achieving renal response rates in patients with lupus nephritis. The results were presented virtually at the National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinical Meetings.

A newly formed organization, the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance, has launched an international registry to collect data on patients with rheumatic diseases who may or may not have contracted the infection that is causing the global pandemic. The aim is to aid clinicians and researchers in real time as the situation evolves.