Evaluation of cardiac function using echocardiography in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients treated with hydroxychloroquine.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hydroxychloroquine on cardiac functions and left ventricular mass in patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE).

Research design and methods: Fifty patients with cSLE undergoing treatment with hydroxychloroquine underwent echocardiographic evaluation. All patients exhibited negative disease activity markers and were clinically in remission.

Results: The median duration of hydroxychloroquine exposure was 7.1 (5.2-9.5) years, with a median cumulative dose of 784.8 (509.5-3437.6) grams. No correlation was identified between the parameters of left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular mass index and geometry, and cumulative hydroxychloroquine dose (p = 0.245, p = 0.094, p = 0.146, respectively). Furthermore, no significant correlation was identified between the cumulative dose of hydroxychloroquine and diastolic cardiac parameters (all p > 0.05). A comparison of the patients who received a cumulative dose of hydroxychloroquine below the median dose (the low-dose group) with those who received a higher dose (the high-dose group) revealed no significant differences in the echocardiographic parameters (all p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that chronic hydroxychloroquine use in patients with cSLE does not result in adverse changes in left ventricular mass or impairment of cardiac functions. However, these patients should undergo regular evaluation to monitor for the potential development of cardiotoxicity.