Blood Glucose-Lowering Effect of Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Quantitative Analysis

Objective The objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the effect of hydroxychloroquine sulfate on fasting blood glucose levels in patients diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of 905 SLE patients between January 2020 and December 2024. The study compared fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels between 255 patients who received hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) treatment and 650 patients who did not receive HCQ during the study period. Multivariate regression, stratified analysis, and smooth curve fitting were employed to assess the relationship between HCQ use and glucose levels. Results Following the adjustment of confounding factors, a mean reduction of 0.2 mmol/L in FBG was observed among HCQ users in comparison to non-users (95%CI: -0.4, -0.0, P = 0.0294). A stratified analysis revealed that this effect was more pronounced in female patients. Furthermore, the analysis of the glucose levels in relation to age demonstrated that they were more stable in individuals who had been administered HCQ. Conclusion This study provides the first quantitative evidence of HCQ's significant glucose-lowering effect in SLE patients, offering important implications for clinical practice.