Effect of Hydroxychloroquine on Lipid Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: It has been suggested that hydroxychloroquine may have positive effects on LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglyceride levels; however, the hypolipidemic activities of this drug are still uncertain. Objective: The aim of this meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was to explore the effect of hydroxychloroquine on circulating lipid concentrations. Methods: Randomized controlled trials examining the impact of hydroxychloroquine on lipid parameters were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model and sensitivity analysis through the leave one-out method. Results: Meta-analysis showed that patients receiving hydroxychloroquine therapy significantly decreased total cholesterol (WMD: 0.18 mmol/L, 95% CI:-0.28,-0.08, I-2 = 6%, p = 0.0004), LDL-C (WMD:-0.21 mmol/L, 95% CI:-0.36,-0.06, I-2 = 75%, p = 0.006), triglycerides (WMD:-0.09 mmol/L, 95% CI:-0.15,-0.04, I-2 = 22%, p = 0.001), and non-HDL-C (WMD:-0.28 mmol/L, 95% CI:-0.45,-0.12, I-2 = 0%, p = 0.0009), and increased HDL-C concentrations (WMD: 0.03 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.00, 0.06, I-2 = 0%, p = 0.03). Conclusion: Our results suggest that hydroxychloroquine improves lipid parameters by reducing total cholesterol, LDL-C, triglycerides, non-HDL-C, and increasing HDL-C levels.