The effect of Hydroxychloroquine use due to rheumatic disease on the
risk of Covid-19 infection and its course
Abstract
Introduction COVID-19 virus continues to spread and die worldwide. Some
studies examining hydroxychloroquine as a prophylactic agent reported
that its efficiency and reliability have not been proven so that it must
not be used for prophylaxis other than clinical researches. However we
think that the results of this study we conducted in a local area will
contribute to the literature data. Methods The study was designed as
adult patients who were in follow-up taking HC due to their chronic
diseases were included. 384 patients who were taking hydroxychloroquine
regularly and 299 patients who were not taking hydroxychloroquine were
included. The primary outcome of this study is to detect a positive PCR
result in patients who received a PCR test and to determine the
incidence rate and its course of the disease among those who were taking
HC and those who were not taking hydroxychloroquine. Results The
majority of the patients (median age: 51.8- range 17-89) were women and
housewives. In the patient group using hydroxychloroquine, 22 patients
were tested for PCR and only 2 positive patients were found. Covid-19
was detected in 24 (8.02%) of 65 (21.73%) patients who underwent PCR
test at Control group (n = 299). PCR positivity was statistically lower
in the HK group (n = 2, 0.52%, n = 24, 8.02%, respectively, p =
0.0001). Conclusions Our study supported the fact that there is a lower
PCR positivity and symptoms are milder among patients who are using HC
regularly, as compared to those who are not using hydroxychloroquine.