Systematic Review Article

Effect of Hydroxychloroquine on Lipid Levels: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis

Author(s):

Luis E. Simental-Mendía*, Mario Simental-Mendía, Adriana Sánchez-García and Enrique Linden-Torres   Pages 4133 - 4139 ( 7 )

Abstract:

Background: It has been suggested that hydroxychloroquine may have positive effects on LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglyceride levels; however, the hypolipidemic activities of this drug are still uncertain.

Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was to explore the effect of hydroxychloroquine on circulating lipid concentrations.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials examining the impact of hydroxychloroquine on lipid parameters were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model and sensitivity analysis through the leave one-out method.

Results: Meta-analysis showed that patients receiving hydroxychloroquine therapy significantly decreased total cholesterol (WMD: 0.18 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.28, -0.08, I² = 6%, p = 0.0004), LDL-C (WMD: -0.21 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.36, -0.06, I² = 75%, p = 0.006), triglycerides (WMD: -0.09 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.15, -0.04, I² = 22%, p = 0.001), and non-HDL-C (WMD: -0.28 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.45, -0.12, I² = 0%, p = 0.0009), and increased HDL-C concentrations (WMD: 0.03 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.06, I² = 0%, p = 0.03).

Conclusion: Our results suggest that hydroxychloroquine improves lipid parameters by reducing total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, non-HDL-C, and increasing HDL-C levels.

Keywords:

Hydroxychloroquine, lipid profile, HDL-C, LDL-C, non-HDL-C, total cholesterol, triglycerides.

Affiliation:

Unidad de Investigacion Biomedica, Delegacion Durango, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, CDMX, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hospital Universitario “Dr. Jose E. Gonzalez”, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León, Monterrey, NL, Endocrinology Division, Hospital Universitario “Dr. Jose E. Gonzalez”, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Monterrey, NL, Unidad de Investigacion Biomedica, Delegacion Durango, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, CDMX

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