Hydroxychloroquine therapy and its impact on bone mineral density among systemic lupus erythematosus patients: A cross-sectional study

Background and objectives: Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased risk of osteoporosis due to chronic inflammation, prolonged glucocorticoid (GC) exposure, and treatment-related factors. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), a cornerstone of SLE therapy, has shown conflicting effects on bone health. This study examined the association between HCQ use and bone mineral density (BMD) in SLE.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 213 SLE patients was conducted at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital. BMD was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and classified using WHO criteria. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment-related variables were collected. Group comparisons employed chi-square and non-parametric tests, while ordinal logistic regression identified independent predictors of reduced BMD.