Effect of hydroxychloroquine on the lipid profile of patients with Sjögren syndrome.

Objective: Many studies have highlighted the hypolipidemic action of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ). We investigated the effect of HCQ on the lipid profile of patients with Sjögren syndrome (SS).

Methods: The present retrospective observational study included 71 female patients with SS treated with HCQ. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and atherogenic index (TC/HDL) were measured at baseline, after 6 months, and 1, 3, and 5 years after initiation of HCQ treatment. Analysis to investigate changes over time was performed in the entire patient group and in the separate subgroups: those receiving (21 patients) and those not receiving (50 patients) hypolipidemic treatment.

Results: For the entire group of patients a statistically significant decrease in TC was noted (levels before treatment 220 ± 41 mg/dl, and at 5 yrs 206 ± 32 mg/dl, p = 0.006). A statistically significant difference was observed in the levels of HDL (57 ± 14 mg/dl vs 67 ± 17 mg/dl, p < 0.001) and in atherogenic index (4.0 ± 1.3 vs 3.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.001). Patients not receiving a hypolipidemic agent during the same period demonstrated a decrease in TC (214 ± 40 mg/dl vs 208 ± 34 mg/dl, p = 0.049), an increase in HDL levels (55 ± 15 mg/dl vs 67 ± 18 mg/dl, p < 0.001), and a decrease in atherogenic index (4.0 ± 1.4 vs 3.3 ± 0.9, p < 0.001). In the subgroup of patients receiving hypolipidemic treatment, the respective changes in their lipid profile were not significant in the first years but became significant in the long term.

Conclusion: Use of HCQ in patients with SS was related to a statistically significant decrease in TC, an increase in HDL, and improvement in the atherogenic index.