The incidence of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy in the United Kingdom
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The incidence of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy in the United Kingdom: a national, prospective case-finding study.
IRAS ID
215981
Contact name
Srilakshmi Sharma
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research and Development Departments
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
AH2016/1241, Oxford Healthcare Small Research Committee Grant
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 11 days
Research summary
Hydroxychloroquine is a drug widely used in the treatment of systemic autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis. Hydroxychloroquine has fewer serious side effects compared to alternative drugs used to treat these diseases. Furthermore, hydroxychloroquine has been shown to improve survival in SLE. Some rheumatologists believe it should be prescribed to all such patients: up to 100,000 patients in the UK may be taking hydroxychloroquine.
Hydroxychloroquine has been associated with the development of retinopathy (degeneration of the retina of the eye), which can cause severe and irreversible loss of vision. It was previously considered that hydroxychloroquine retinopathy was very rare (0.1% of patients taking hydroxychloroquine for more than 5 years). However, new studies indicate it is far more common (affecting 20-50% of patients taking hydroxychloroquine for more than 20 years). This is because the imaging techniques used to detect it are much more sensitive than they used to be.
We aim to undertake for the first population-based study to determine the incidence of hydroxychloroquine retinopathy in the UK. This research is important in order to help quantify the public health burden from hydroxychloroquine retinopathy, and inform the decision making process screening provision. In the USA, screening is recommended: when signs of retinal damage are detected, hydroxychloroquine is stopped before permanent visual loss occurs. This study will directly inform any recommendation for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy screening within the National Health Service.
REC name
South Central - Oxford B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SC/0574
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion