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Journals / Anatolian Current Medical Journal / 2026 / Volume: 7 Issue: 5

Comorbidity burden and the role of hydroxychloroquine in venous thromboembolism risk among rheumatoid arthritis patients: a retrospective case-control study

Romatoid artrit hastalarında venöz tromboembolizm riskinde hidroksiklorokinin ve komorbiditenin rolü: retrospektif bir vaka-kontrol çalışması

Güllü Sandal Uzun(UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, GÜLHANE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE)0000-0002-5010-9114
Ozan Yücel(HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE)0009-0001-1918-0270
Yunus Kaygusuz(HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE)0000-0002-3894-7203
Melda Bahap(HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY, INSTITUTE OF HEALTH SCIENCES, CLINICAL PHARMACY (DR))0000-0003-1392-1135
Sedat Kiraz(HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE)0000-0001-7289-1816
İhsan Ertenli(HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE)0000-0001-7216-677X
Levent Kılıç(HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE)0000-0003-1064-9690
Umut Kalyoncu(HACETTEPE UNIVERSITY, FACULTY OF MEDICINE)0000-0001-7129-2109
Pages
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Publication Date
2025-09-15
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

These findings highlight the importance of individualized comorbidity management and suggest a potential role for hydroxychloroquine in thrombosis prevention in RA.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Aims: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE).
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Key Findings & Data:Methods: A retrospective analysis of 363 RA patients was conducted, including 34 RA patients with documented VTE.
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Conclusion & Impact:These findings highlight the importance of individualized comorbidity management and suggest a potential role for hydroxychloroquine in thrombosis prevention in RA.
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Rheumatoid arthritis · venous thromboembolism · Charlson Comorbidity Index

Abstract

Aims: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). This study aims to identify clinical characteristics and treatment-related factors associated with VTE in RA patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 363 RA patients was conducted, including 34 RA patients with documented VTE. Demographics, comorbidities, and treatment data were compared between patients with and without VTE. Age-and sexmatched subgroup analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify independent predictors of VTE. Results: The mean age of RA patients with VTE was 66.8 (11.5) and 30 (88.2) were female. VTE was significantly associated with older age, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). In the multivariate model, higher CCI was independently associated with VTE (OR 2.84, 95% CI: 1.46–3.80, p<0.001). Hydroxychloroquine use was negatively associated with VTE (OR 0.34, 95% CI: 0.10–0.86, p=0.049). Other DMARDs and glucocorticoids did not show independent associations. Conclusion: A high comorbidity burden significantly increases VTE risk in RA patients and HCQ use was associated with lower odds of VTE. These findings highlight the importance of individualized comorbidity management and suggest a potential role for hydroxychloroquine in thrombosis prevention in RA.

Özet

Giriş: Romatoid artrit (RA) hastaları, venöz tromboembolizm (VTE) açısından artmış risk altındadır. Bu çalışma, RA hastalarında VTE ile ilişkili klinik özellikleri ve tedaviyle ilişkili faktörleri belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Yöntemler: VTE'si belgelenmiş 34 RA hastası da dahil olmak üzere 363 RA hastasının retrospektif analizi gerçekleştirilmiştir. Demografik özellikler, eşlik eden hastalıklar ve tedavi verileri, VTE'si olan ve olmayan hastalar arasında karşılaştırılmıştır. VTE'nin bağımsız öngörücülerini belirlemek için yaş ve cinsiyete göre eşleştirilmiş alt grup analizi ve çok değişkenli lojistik regresyon kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlar: VTE'si olan RA hastalarının ortalama yaşı 66,8 (11,5) olup, 30'u (88,2) kadındı. VTE, ileri yaş, hipertansiyon, hiperlipidemi ve daha yüksek Charlson Eşlik Eden Hastalık İndeksi (CCI) ile anlamlı şekilde ilişkiliydi. Çok değişkenli modelde, yüksek CCI, VTE ile bağımsız olarak ilişkiliydi (OR 2,84, %95 GA: 1,46-3,80, p < 0,001). Hidroksiklorokin kullanımı VTE ile negatif ilişkiliydi (OR 0,34, %95 GA: 0,10-0,86, p = 0,049). Diğer DMARD'lar ve glukokortikoidler bağımsız ilişki göstermedi. Sonuç: Yüksek komorbidite yükü, RA hastalarında VTE riskini önemli ölçüde artırırken, hidroksiklorokin koruyucu bir etki gösterebilir. Bu bulgular, kişiye özel komorbidite yönetiminin önemini vurgulamakta ve hidroksiklorokinin RA'da trombozun önlenmesinde potansiyel bir rolü olabileceğini düşündürmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Uzun, G. S., Yücel, O., Kaygusuz, Y., Bahap, M., Kiraz, S., Ertenli, İ., Kılıç, L., Kalyoncu, U. (2025). Comorbidity burden and the role of hydroxychloroquine in venous thromboembolism risk among rheumatoid arthritis patients: a retrospective case-control study. Anatolian Current Medical Journal, Volume: 7 Issue: 5. https://doi.org/10.38053/acmj.1747743

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