Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine in the Treatment of Dry Eye Disease

Diseases, vol. 11, pp. 85

Abstract

The role of chloroquine (CQ) and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the management of dry eye disease is still unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the efficacy and feasibility of CQ and HCQ in patients with dry eye disease. In February 2023, PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, and Web of Science were accessed. Data from 462 patients (mean age 54.4 ± 2.8 years) were collected. Compared to baseline, the tear breakup time (p < 0.0001) and Schirmer I test (p < 0.0001) were significantly increased, and the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI, p < 0.0001) and corneal staining (p < 0.0001) were significantly decreased at the last follow-up in the CQ/HCQ group. At the last follow-up, the OSDI was significantly lower in the CQ/HCQ group compared to the control group (p < 0.0001). Corneal staining was significantly greater in the control group compared to the CQ/HCQ group (p < 0.0001). The Schirmer I test showed no significant difference between the groups (p = 0.2). Altogether, CQ and HCQ improved the symptoms and signs of dry eye disease.

Authors 6

1. Julia Prinz corresponding Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University · Universitätsklinikum Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH University Hospital of Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Nicola Maffulli

   Queen Mary University of London · University of Salerno · Mile End Hospital · Keele University

   Affiliation as printed

   Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mile End Hospital, Queen Mary University of London, 275 Bancroft Road, London E1 4DG, UK

   Department of Medicine, Surgery and Dentistry, University of Salerno, 84081 Fisciano, Italy

   School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University Faculty of Medicine, Thornburrow Drive, Stoke on Trent ST4 7QB, UK

3. Matthias Fuest Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University · Universitätsklinikum Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH University Hospital of Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Peter Walter Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University · Universitätsklinikum Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH University Hospital of Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Frank Hildebrand Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University · Universitätsklinikum Aachen

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH University Hospital of Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany

6. Filippo Migliorini Aachen

   RWTH Aachen University · Universitätsklinikum Aachen · Ospedale di Bolzano · Azienda Sanitaria dell'Alto Adige

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery, Academic Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), 39100 Bolzano, Italy

   RWTH University Hospital of Aachen, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany