Hydroxychloroquine is widely used to treat certain viral and rheumatic diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus. Cardiac arrhythmia is an important safety issue with hydroxychloroquine. The aim of this study was to investigate whether hydroxychloroquine increases new-onset arrhythmia among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Researchers in Taiwan examined a group of 2,499 newly diagnosed people with lupus. Persons with pre-existing arrhythmia were excluded and the remaining study participants were divided into two groups. One group was newly diagnosed with arrhythmia, and the second group did not have the condition. Both groups were treated with HCQ.

Conclusion: In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, hydroxychloroquine treatment did not significantly increase the risk of cardiac arrhythmia or life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia regardless of the different hydroxychloroquine treatment duration, drug adherence rate, or daily dose.

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