Chronic inflammation is implicated in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (T2D), and therefore targeting inflammation may ameliorate diabetes, slowing its progression and complications. HCQ, an anti-inflammatory agent used since several decades in rheumatology, is approved in India for the management of T2D. We assessed the real-life safety and effectiveness of HCQ in 95 T2D patients uncontrolled on 2 or more OHAs with or without insulin. HCQ was started only in patients with normal retina on fundoscopy, which was repeated again within 52 weeks. Mean duration of diabetes was 9.09 years; 51 and 38 patients were receiving statins and anti-hypertensives, respectively at baseline. There was a reduction in A1c and other glycemic parameters at Week 12 and week 24 from baseline. Total cholesterol and LDL also reduced with HCQ use. Mean body weight reduced from 73.59 kg at baseline to 72.84 kg at Week 24. Reassuringly, there were no cases of HCQ-induced retinopathy in any of the patients followed till week 52; 1 patient was detected with mild NPDR at week 12 and drug was discontinued. Of the 12 AEs reported, 11 were mild in intensity and unlikely related to HCQ. There was no incidence of derangement in hepatic or renal parameters. Thus, HCQ could be a well-tolerated and effective therapeutic option for patients with T2D uncontrolled on 2 or more OHAs. Long term data for safety and efficacy of HCQ needs to be studied from other centers too.
M.S. Chawla: Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Abbott, Alkem Laboratories, AstraZeneca, Biocon. Speaker’s Bureau; Spouse/Partner; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Eli Lilly and Company, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Novartis AG, Novo Nordisk A/S. Speaker’s Bureau; Spouse/Partner; Novo Nordisk Inc., Sanofi. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Sanofi, Serdia Pharmaceuticals (India) Pvt. Ltd. P.M. Chawla: Speaker’s Bureau; Spouse/Partner; Abbott, Alkem Laboratories, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Speaker’s Bureau; Spouse/Partner; Eli Lilly and Company, Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Novo Nordisk A/S. Speaker’s Bureau; Spouse/Partner; Novo Nordisk A/S. Speaker’s Bureau; Self; Sanofi. Speaker’s Bureau; Spouse/Partner; Sanofi. A. Sayyed: None. A. Shah: None. N. Murthy: None.
