Effect of Hydroxychloroquine Therapy on Hematology and Ocular of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Abstract

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that mainly affects women and has various clinical manifestations involving multiple organs. The use of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) provides some advantages. This study aimed to analyze hematological and ocular effects after short-term administration of HCQ in SLE patients. This cross-sectional study analyzed adult SLE patients at Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Blood laboratory parameters were analyzed, and ocular examinations were carried out by an ophthalmologist. As many as 23 patients, all of whom were women, were analyzed. The study showed an average hemoglobin of 11.6 g/dL. Other blood laboratory results were within normal limits. The mean duration of SLE diagnosis and HCQ use was 21.0 months and 9.7 months, respectively. There was no correlation between the duration of HCQ use with hematological parameters or ocular disorders. This study showed that only a small proportion of SLE patients taking HCQ for less than 5 years had ocular problems. The prevalence of ocular and hematological effects in SLE patients treated with HCQ under 5 years is minimal. There is no relationship between ocular and hematological disorders with the duration of HCQ therapy.