Objective: Many T2D patients have inadequate glycemic control despite conventional therapy of dual OHAs. Treating such patients in developing countries is a challenge as newer drugs are comparatively costly or patients may have apprehensions for injectable insulin. Objective of this observational study was to evaluate effectiveness of add-on therapy of HCQ in these patients.
Methods: A prospective, observational, multi-centre study was conducted where 1,007 T2D patients (age between 18-65 years), uncontrolled on a combination of two OHAs, with HbA1c ≥7.5%, fasting blood glucose of ≥126 mg/dL or 2-hour blood glucose ≥200 mg/dL and body weight ≥60 kg were prescribed hydroxychloroquine sulphate 400 mg once daily for 24 weeks. Mean change in HbA1c, FBG, PPG, serum creatinine and lipid parameters were assessed.
Results: At week 24, significant reduction in HbA1c (1.29%), FBG (18%), PPG (23%), TC (9%), LDL-C (12%) and non-HDL-C (12%) was observed (p < 0.0001). At the end of 24 weeks, 36.8% patients achieved HbA1c target of <7%.
Conclusion: Hydroxychloroquine effectively improved glycemic and lipid parameters in uncontrolled T2D patients. It may emerge as a valuable therapeutic intervention for patients uncontrolled on two OHAs. Its beneficial effect on lipids may potentially translate to improved CV outcomes.
I. Purkait: Employee; Self; Ipca Laboratories Ltd. A. Pareek: Employee; Self; Ipca Laboratories Ltd. A. Panneerselvam: None. M.K. Mukhopadhyay: None. S. Kumar: Advisory Panel; Self; Abbott, Alere Inc., Alkem Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Eris Lifesciences, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Intas Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Johnson & Johnson, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi-Aventis, Sun Pharma, Torrent Pharma, USV Private Limited, Wockhardt, Zydus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Biocon, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Dr. Reddys Laboratories. S.A. Chandratreya: None.
