Core Concepts
Regular testing of hydroxychloroquine levels in SLE patients can identify severe nonadherence linked to worse outcomes.
Stats
7.3% of patients with SLE are severely nonadherent to their medication and have a higher risk of flare, early damage, and mortality.
Quotes
"Many patients with SLE have low-grade disease or inflammation in the blood vessels that may not be clinically apparent and which hydroxychloroquine can help, so it might be wise to routinely get blood levels." - Joan Merrill, MD