A comparative study of effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on blood sugar levels of diabetic and non-diabetic patients at a tertiary hospital

 

Buddhiraj Shantinath Patil

 

Abstract              Background: Hydroxychloroquine is used in treatment of several inflammatory rheumatic and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), various skin diseases and cancers. In past few years, a growing body of evidence from studies suggested that HCQ also plays a role in the regulation of glucose homeostasis in individuals with and without diabetes. In present study of we assessed effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on blood sugar levels of diabetic and non-diabetic patients, receiving HCQs at a tertiary hospital. Material and Methods: This was a prospective, comparative study conducted at the department of general medicine in patients attending rheumatology outpatient department with newly diagnosed rheumatological disease, age > 18years and prescribed tablet hydroxychloroquine. Based on the test results and history, 40 patients, each from diabetes mellitus and normal glucose tolerance group were selected for present study. Student‘s t test and Chi-Square test were used to determine statistical difference between variables. Statistical software (SPSS version 24) was used for analysis. Statistical tests were considered significant if P-value was <0.05. Results: Baseline data of both study group patients is shown in table 1. Mean age was comparable in both groups. Female patients were more in both groups. Other high-risk factors such as hypertension, smoking, dyslipidaemia, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were present in both groups. In diabetes mellites group 58% patients had less than 5 years duration of diabetes. A significant difference was noted in HbA1c values in diabetes group. In normal glucose tolerance difference was not significant.In diabetes group, we noted a significant difference in fasting blood sugar values taken at 6 months follow up compared to values at start of study. A significant difference in postprandial blood sugar values noted in diabetes group, while in normal glucose tolerance difference was not significant. Conclusion: Hydroxychloroquine decreases HbA1c, fasting blood sugar and postprandial blood sugar values in patients with type 2 diabetes. A careful risk-benefit assessment is required for cautious use of HCQ in subjects with diabetes.

Key Words: Hydroxychloroquine; Type 2 Diabetes; HbA1c, blood sugar levels