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  • What We're Working On
Risk of Retinal Toxicity in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Rheumatoid Arthritis on Long-term Hydroxychloroquine Therapy
Other-Types-of-Arthritis-6.0-1
Scientific Study Title:
Start Date:
  • 2022
End Date:
  • 2027
Research Category
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Why do this research?

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are diseases of the immune system that affect many parts of the body (e.g., joints, heart, eyes, skin), and can result in other medical complications and death. A drug called hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is commonly used to treat SLE and RA. Existing studies have highlighted benefits of HCQ, including less severe disease, fewer complications (e.g., blood clots, problems with pregnancy or kidneys), and longer life. Although HCQ is typically safe, inexpensive and easy to take, a serious long-term side-effect that may occur after years of taking HCQ is eye damage that could cause vision loss. Given the benefits and common use of HCQ, it is critical that the real risk of eye damage be determined and findings shared with doctors and patients so that patients receive the best and safest care.

What will be done?

Using administrative health data, we will identify all adults in BC with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who have been taking hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for at least 5 years. People who are interested in participating will have state-of-the-art eye testing done at a retinal specialist’s office, which is already the standard of care for people taking HCQ. This eye testing will take place once per year for 5 years. The goal of this study is to determine the risk of eye damage in people with SLE and RA, who are taking HCQ.

The Research Team

Principal Investigator

  • J. Antonio Avina-Zubieta, MD, MSc, PhD, FRCPC, Senior Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Co-Principal Investigator

  • John Esdaile, MD, MPH, FRCPC, FCAHS, MACR, Scientific Director Emeritus, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)

Co-Investigators

  • May Y. Choi, MD, FRCPC, MPH, Research Scientist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (Harvard Medical School)
  • Linda Li, BSc(PT), MSc, PhD, FCAHS, Senior Scientist, Implementation Science, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Hui Xie, BSc, MS, PhD, Research Scientist, Biostatistics, Arthritis Research Canada (Simon Fraser University)
  • Diane Lacaille, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC, Scientific Director, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Kamran Shojania, MD, FRCPC, Clinical Trialist, Rheumatology, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Mahyar Etminan, PharmD, MSc Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, (University of British Columbia)
  • David Maberley, MD Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, (University of Ottawa); Head, Department of Ophthalmology, The Ottawa Hospital
  • Martin Dawes, MBBS, MD, FRCGP Professor Emeritus, Department of Family Practice, Faculty of Medicine, (University of British Columbia)

Research Staff

  • Narsis Daftarian , MD Research Assistant, Arthritis Research Canada; MSc Student, Department of Experimental Medicine, (University of British Columbia)
  • Dami Ojo , MPH Research Assistant, Arthritis Research Canada

Collaborators

  • Alison Hoens , BScPT, MSc, Knowledge Broker, Arthritis Research Canada (University of British Columbia)
  • Cheryl Koehn, President, Arthritis Consumer Experts

How Can People Get Involved?

The research team consist of researchers, rheumatologists, retinal specialists (a type of ophthalmologist) and family physicians who are committed to delivering safe and appropriate care to the population.

Your participation in this study is voluntary and there are no foreseeable risks that are associated with this study. You will be asked to fill out a consent form before participating.

Your participation would involve signing a consent form and seeing a retinal specialist once per year for five years for eye exams. These exams are already the standard of care for people with systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis who are taking hydroxychloroquine.

If you receive a letter of invitation in the mail, please consider participating in our study!

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