Risk of flare in patients with SLE in remission after hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine withdrawal.

Objective: Previous studies have provided evidence that the discontinuation of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), and chloroquine (CQ), in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with an increased risk of disease flares, with limited information on the level of disease activity at the time of HCQ/CQ discontinuation. Here we aimed to describe the risk of SLE flare after withdrawal of HCQ or CQ in patients with SLE in remission.

Methods: Case-control study (1:2) comparing the evolution of patients with SLE after HCQ/CQ withdrawal for antimalarial retinopathy (cases) with patients with SLE matched for sex, antimalarial treatment duration and age at SLE diagnosis, whose antimalarial treatment was continued throughout the entire follow-up period (controls).

Identification of new risk factors for hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine retinopathy in systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Background: Long-term hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) or chloroquine (CQ) intake causes retinal toxicity in 0.3-8 % of patients with rheumatic diseases. Numerous risk factors have been described, eg, daily dose by weight, treatment duration, chronic kidney disease, concurrent tamoxifen therapy and pre-existing retinal or macular disease.

Phenotypes in antiphospholipid syndrome: A hierarchical cluster analysis based on two independent databases.

Background: Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by thromboses at various sites and obstetric events associated with the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. The identification of clinical phenotypes in APS patients is a clinical need. In this study, we aimed to determine the clinical phenotypes of APS patients through an unsupervised analysis of two well-characterized cohorts of APS patients.

Prognostic impact of venous thromboembolism on the course of sarcoidosis: A multicenter retrospective case-control study.

Sarcoidosis is an independent risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the characteristics and clinical evolution of sarcoidosis patients presenting a VTE (sarcoidosis/VTE group) in the course of their disease are not known. Consequently, if VTE occurrence is associated with a more severe disease is still pending.

Intravenous Immunoglobulins Tapering and Withdrawal in Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome (Clarkson Disease).

Background: The systemic capillary leak syndrome (SCLS), also known as Clarkson disease, is a very rare condition characterized by recurrent life-threatening episodes of vascular hyperpermeability in the presence of a monoclonal gammopathy. Extended intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment is associated with fewer recurrences and improved survival, but the optimal treatment dosage and duration remain unknown.

Objective: We aim to evaluate the safety of IVIG tapering and withdrawal in patients with SCLS.