Effects of Hydroxychloroquine on Retinal Vessel Density in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis over One-Year Follow-Up: A Pilot Study

Background: To employ optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to evaluate the effects of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) on superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep retinal (DCP) in patients affected by rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: Patients with recent diagnosis “definite RA”, based 2010 Rheumatoid Arthritis Classification Criteria, were included a prospective, observational imaging study carried out G.B. Bietti Foundation between March 2019 January 2020. Vessel density (VD) SCP DCP, central foveal thickness (CFT) avascular zone (FAZ) values collected OCTA. The primary outcome measure was VD alteration DCP RA-patients after one year HCQ treatment. Results: OCTA data analysis showed no statistically significant reduction mean including global area, subfield, inner ring temporal, superior, nasal, inferior sectors, as well CFT FAZ areas. Conclusions: demonstrated early change A longer monitoring period would more precisely establish treatment’s effect its correlation toxicity.