Regular examinations for toxic maculopathy in long-term chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine users. 2014

Melisa Nika, and Taylor S Blachley, and Paul Edwards, and Paul P Lee, and Joshua D Stein
W. K. Kellogg Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

OBJECTIVE According to evidence-based, expert recommendations, long-term users of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine sulfate should undergo regular visits to eye care providers and diagnostic testing to check for maculopathy. OBJECTIVE To determine whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) taking chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine are regularly visiting eye care providers and being screened for maculopathy. METHODS Patients with RA or SLE who were continuously enrolled in a particular managed care network for at least 5 years between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2011, were studied. Patients' amount of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine use in the 5 years since the initial RA or SLE diagnosis was calculated, along with their number of eye care visits and diagnostic tests for maculopathy. Those at high risk for maculopathy were identified. Logistic regression was performed to assess potential factors associated with regular eye care visits (annual visits in ≥3 of 5 years) among chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine users, including those at highest risk for maculopathy. METHODS Among chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine users and those at high risk for toxic maculopathy, the proportions with regular eye care visits and diagnostic testing, as well as the likelihood of regular eye care visits. RESULTS Among 18 051 beneficiaries with RA or SLE, 6339 (35.1%) had at least 1 record of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine use, and 1409 (7.8%) had used chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine for at least 4 years. Among those at high risk for maculopathy, 27.9% lacked regular eye care visits, 6.1% had no visits to eye care providers, and 34.5% had no diagnostic testing for maculopathy during the 5-year period. Among high-risk patients, each additional month of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine use was associated with a 2.0% increased likelihood of regular eye care (adjusted odds ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 1.01-1.03). High-risk patients whose SLE or RA was managed by rheumatologists had a 77.4% increased likelihood of regular eye care (adjusted odds ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.27-2.47) relative to other patients. CONCLUSIONS In this insured population, many patients at high risk for maculopathy associated with the use of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine are not undergoing routine monitoring for this serious adverse effect. Future studies should explore factors contributing to suboptimal adherence to expert guidelines and the potential effect on patients' vision-related outcomes.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008180 Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic A chronic, relapsing, inflammatory, and often febrile multisystemic disorder of connective tissue, characterized principally by involvement of the skin, joints, kidneys, and serosal membranes. It is of unknown etiology, but is thought to represent a failure of the regulatory mechanisms of the autoimmune system. The disease is marked by a wide range of system dysfunctions, an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and the formation of LE cells in the blood or bone marrow. Libman-Sacks Disease,Lupus Erythematosus Disseminatus,Systemic Lupus Erythematosus,Disease, Libman-Sacks,Libman Sacks Disease
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D010808 Physical Examination Systematic and thorough inspection of the patient for physical signs of disease or abnormality. Physical Exam,Examination, Physical,Physical Examinations and Diagnoses,Exam, Physical,Examinations, Physical,Exams, Physical,Physical Examinations,Physical Exams
D012164 Retinal Diseases Diseases involving the RETINA. Disease, Retinal,Diseases, Retinal,Retinal Disease
D002738 Chloroquine The prototypical antimalarial agent with a mechanism that is not well understood. It has also been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and in the systemic therapy of amebic liver abscesses. Aralen,Arechine,Arequin,Chingamin,Chlorochin,Chloroquine Sulfate,Chloroquine Sulphate,Khingamin,Nivaquine,Sulfate, Chloroquine,Sulphate, Chloroquine
D003119 Color Perception Tests Type of vision test used to determine COLOR VISION DEFECTS. Color Perception Test,Perception Test, Color,Perception Tests, Color,Test, Color Perception,Tests, Color Perception
D003941 Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological Methods and procedures for the diagnosis of diseases of the eye or of vision disorders. Diagnostic Technic, Ophthalmological,Diagnostic Technics, Ophthalmologic,Diagnostic Technics, Ophthalmological,Diagnostic Technique, Ophthalmological,Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmologic,Ophthalmological Diagnostic Technic,Ophthalmological Diagnostic Technics,Ophthalmological Diagnostic Technique,Ophthalmological Diagnostic Techniques,Technic, Ophthalmological Diagnostic,Technics, Ophthalmological Diagnostic,Technique, Ophthalmological Diagnostic,Techniques, Ophthalmological Diagnostic,Diagnostic Technic, Ophthalmologic,Diagnostic Technique, Ophthalmologic,Ophthalmologic Diagnostic Technic,Ophthalmologic Diagnostic Technics,Ophthalmologic Diagnostic Technique,Ophthalmologic Diagnostic Techniques,Technic, Ophthalmologic Diagnostic,Technics, Ophthalmologic Diagnostic,Technique, Ophthalmologic Diagnostic,Techniques, Ophthalmologic Diagnostic
D004596 Electroretinography Recording of electric potentials in the retina after stimulation by light. Electroretinographies
D005260 Female Females

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