The efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine sulfate on pregnancy outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / 中华风湿病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine sulfate (HCQ) on pregnancy outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods One hundred and sixty-six pregnant patients with SLE from Janurary 2010 to December 2015 were studied retrospectively . Fifty-two patients were excluded due to new-onset during pregnancy, active disease or termination of pregnancy as a result of continuous intaking of immunosuppressant. The remaining 114 SLE patients in stable condition before pregnancy were divided into the following two groups prednisone combined with HCQ and prednisone alone. The effects of HCQ on disease activity and pregnancy outcome were analyzed. Differences between groups were analyzed by chi-square test. Results A total of 90 patients (78.9%) had successful pregnancy. Among 71 patients treated with prednisone combined with HCQ, 60 patients (84.5%) had no disease flare and 62 cases (87.3%) had successful pregnancy. Among 43 patients treated with prednisone alone, 28 patients (65.1%) had no disease flare and 28 cases (65.1%) had successful pregnancy. No abnormality of neither visual field nor fundus was observed among patients treated with HCQ. No congenital abnormalities were found among new born infants. Conclusion HCQ intake during pregnancy in SLE patients can reduce disease flare and improve the pregnancy outcome, indicating that HCQ is safe for SLE patients during pregnancy.