Regular examinations for toxic maculopathy in long-term chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine users.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

According to evidence-based, expert recommendations, long-term users of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine sulfate should undergo regular visits to eye care providers and diagnostic testing to check for maculopathy.

Objective

To determine whether patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) taking chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine are regularly visiting eye care providers and being screened for maculopathy.

Design, setting, and participants

Patients with RA or SLE who were continuously enrolled in a particular managed care network for at least 5 years between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2011, were studied. Patients' amount of chloroquine or hydroxychloroquine use in the 5 years since the initial RA or SLE diagnosis was

SUBMITTER: Nika M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4192095 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature