SRM UNIVERSITY

Hydroxychloroquine Shows Promise for Kidney Protection in Primary Glomerular Disease and Lupus Nephritis

- A systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 studies found hydroxychloroquine significantly reduces proteinuria in 1010 patients with primary glomerular diseases, regardless of disease type or treatment duration. - The analysis revealed hydroxychloroquine improved estimated glomerular filtration rate specifically in patients with IgA nephropathy, though overall eGFR improvement was limited across all disease types. - In lupus nephritis patients, hydroxychloroquine use was associated with a 77% reduced risk of significant kidney function decline and decreased annual eGFR slope decline by 5.12 ml/min/1.73 m² in the first five years. - Gastrointestinal and mucocutaneous effects were the most common adverse events, accounting for approximately 58% of the 69 reported side effects across studies.