Hydroxychloroquine Therapy in Sarcoidosis-Associated Uveitis

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background/purpose To assess the efficacy and tolerance of hydroxychloroquine in sarcoidosis-associated uveitis Methods Retrospective study on all patients with sarcoidosis-associated uveitis who were treated with hydroxychloroquine between 2003 and 2019 in a French university hospital. Results Twenty-seven patients with sarcoidosis-associated uveitis received hydroxychloroquine. The mean duration of treatment was 20.0 ± 10.9 months. At the end of the follow-up, hydroxychloroquine success was achieved in 15 (55.6%) patients. Four of them were also on oral corticosteroids, with a prednisone dose ≤5 mg/day. Under treatment, the median prednisone dose decreased from 20.0 (interquartile range (IQR), 7–25) to 5.0 (IQR, 3–6.5) mg/day (p = .02). The incidence rate of flare decreased from 204.6 to 63.8 per 100 person-years (p = .02). Hydroxychloroquine was discontinued in 12 (44.4%) patients during follow-up, including 8 (29.6%) for ineffectiveness, and three who experienced side effects. Conclusion Hydroxychloroquine appears as an interesting option in sarcoidosis-associated uveitis. Abbreviations: AZA: Azathioprine; BAL: Bronchoalveolar Lavage; BCVA: Best-Corrected Visual Acuity; ENT: Ears, Nose and Throat; HCQ: Hydroxychloroquine; IOP: Intra-Ocular Pressure; IQR: interquartile range; MHC: Major Histocompatibility Complex; MMF: Mycophenolate Mofetil; MTX: Methotrexate; PMSI: Programme de Médicalisation du Système d’Information; SAU: Sarcoidosis-Associated Uveitis; SD: Standard Deviation; SUN: Standard Uveitis Nomenclature