Incidence and Factors Associated with Chloroquine Maculopathy in Patients Treated at Lamphun Hospital

Abstract

This retrospective case-control study aimed to determine an incidence and factors associated with chloroquine maculopathy in patients treated at Lamphun Hospital. The data was retrospectively collected and recorded including age, gender, indication for the use of chloroquine, cumulative dose, duration of chloroquine treatment, eye symptoms and eye examination findings. The diagnosis of chloroquine maculopathy was defined as perifoveal depigmentation or bull’s eye maculopathy. The data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Fisher’s Exact test, t-test and Odds ratio. Of the outpatients treated at the Eye Department of Lamphun hospital during 1st January 2011 – 31st December 2014, 83 were referred for chloroquine maculopathy evaluation. Among the 83 patients, 46 patients (55.4%) were diagnosed with chloroquine maculopathy. Factors significantly associated with chloroquine maculopathy were age (p=0.045 ), duration of chloroquine treatment ( p=0.028 ) and cumulative dose ( p=0.004 ) . In conclusion , regular eye examination are necessary and should be recommended to all patients taking chloroquine for early detection of chloroquine maculopathy and discontinue such medication to prevent further visual loss.