Anagha Bangalore Kumar1, Elizabeth K Blixt2, Lisa A Drage3, Rokea A El-Azhary3, David A Wetter4. 1. Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 2. Department of Dermatology, CentraCare Clinic, Saint Cloud, Minnesota. 3. Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. 4. Department of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Electronic address: wetter.david@mayo.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Few studies support treating morphea (localized scleroderma) with hydroxychloroquine. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine treatment of morphea. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 84 patients who had morphea and were treated with hydroxychloroquine monotherapy for at least 6 months at our institution from 1996 through 2013. The median times to initial and maximal responses were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 84 patients (median age at diagnosis, 29.5 years), 65 (77.4%) were female, 36 (42.9%) had a complete response to hydroxychloroquine, 32 (38.1%) had a partial response greater than 50%, 10 (11.9%) had a partial response less than or equal to 50%, and 6 (7.1%) had no response. The median time to initial response was 4 months, and the median time to maximal response was 12 months. Ten patients (11.9%) experienced adverse effects from hydroxychloroquine; the most common adverse effect was nausea (6 patients). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study. CONCLUSIONS: Hydroxychloroquine is a valuable treatment for morphea because of its high response rate and low rate of adverse effects; however, prospective studies are needed to determine its true efficacy.
BACKGROUND: Few studies support treating morphea (localized scleroderma) with hydroxychloroquine. OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine treatment of morphea. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 84 patients who had morphea and were treated with hydroxychloroquine monotherapy for at least 6 months at our institution from 1996 through 2013. The median times to initial and maximal responses were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 84 patients (median age at diagnosis, 29.5 years), 65 (77.4%) were female, 36 (42.9%) had a complete response to hydroxychloroquine, 32 (38.1%) had a partial response greater than 50%, 10 (11.9%) had a partial response less than or equal to 50%, and 6 (7.1%) had no response. The median time to initial response was 4 months, and the median time to maximal response was 12 months. Ten patients (11.9%) experienced adverse effects from hydroxychloroquine; the most common adverse effect was nausea (6 patients). LIMITATIONS: Retrospective study. CONCLUSIONS:Hydroxychloroquine is a valuable treatment for morphea because of its high response rate and low rate of adverse effects; however, prospective studies are needed to determine its true efficacy.
Authors: F Zulian; B H Athreya; R Laxer; A M Nelson; S K Feitosa de Oliveira; M G Punaro; R Cuttica; G C Higgins; L W A Van Suijlekom-Smit; T L Moore; C Lindsley; J Garcia-Consuegra; M O Esteves Hilário; L Lepore; C A Silva; C Machado; S M Garay; Y Uziel; G Martini; I Foeldvari; A Peserico; P Woo; J Harper Journal: Rheumatology (Oxford) Date: 2005-12-20 Impact factor: 7.580
Authors: Suzanne C Li; Kathryn S Torok; Elena Pope; Fatma Dedeoglu; Sandy Hong; Heidi T Jacobe; C Egla Rabinovich; Ronald M Laxer; Gloria C Higgins; Polly J Ferguson; Andrew Lasky; Kevin Baszis; Mara Becker; Sarah Campillo; Victoria Cartwright; Michael Cidon; Christi J Inman; Rita Jerath; Kathleen M O'Neil; Sheetal Vora; Andrew Zeft; Carol A Wallace; Norman T Ilowite; Robert C Fuhlbrigge Journal: Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) Date: 2012-08 Impact factor: 4.794