Hydroxychloroquine – Beyond Malaria: Its Role in Rheumatology and COVID-19 – A Literature Review
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a long-established drug, initially used to treat malaria and later widely applied in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As an immunomodulatory agent, HCQ plays a crucial role in managing chronic inflammation. Des...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Kazimierz Wielki University
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/59348 |
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| author | Adam Jan Ząbek Jakub Paweł Kuźniar Emilia Gabriela Chrzanowska Michalina Zagalska Marta Turek Tomasz Tamborski Adam Grzebinoga Julia Szlążek Iwona Pudełko Barbara Roguska |
| author_facet | Adam Jan Ząbek Jakub Paweł Kuźniar Emilia Gabriela Chrzanowska Michalina Zagalska Marta Turek Tomasz Tamborski Adam Grzebinoga Julia Szlążek Iwona Pudełko Barbara Roguska |
| author_sort | Adam Jan Ząbek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a long-established drug, initially used to treat malaria and later widely applied in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As an immunomodulatory agent, HCQ plays a crucial role in managing chronic inflammation. Despite its benefits, its use requires monitoring due to potential adverse effects, including retinopathy and myopathy.[1]
Objective
This review analyzes HCQ’s role in modern medicine and public health, particularly in treating autoimmune diseases. It also examines controversies surrounding its use during the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for medical education and health prevention.
Current Knowledge
HCQ modulates immune responses and lysosomal function, making it effective in controlling inflammation. Although hypotheses suggested antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, clinical trials did not confirm its efficacy, leading to changes in treatment recommendations.
Methods
A literature review of 32 scientific articles was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on HCQ’s history, mechanism of action, and applications in medicine, public health, and education.
Conclusion
HCQ remains a key treatment for autoimmune diseases, though its long-term safety is still under study. Continuous research and medical education are essential for optimizing its use, including potential applications in sports and rehabilitation, where chronic inflammation affects recovery and performance.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aa3b3e69650640e7bd842d68fbe48a24 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2391-8306 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Kazimierz Wielki University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Education, Health and Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-aa3b3e69650640e7bd842d68fbe48a242025-08-20T01:56:01ZengKazimierz Wielki UniversityJournal of Education, Health and Sport2391-83062025-04-018010.12775/JEHS.2025.80.59348Hydroxychloroquine – Beyond Malaria: Its Role in Rheumatology and COVID-19 – A Literature ReviewAdam Jan Ząbek0https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6799-1814Jakub Paweł Kuźniar1https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6716-7502Emilia Gabriela Chrzanowska2https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6228-1878Michalina Zagalska3https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7312-0065Marta Turek4https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7713-6875Tomasz Tamborski5https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6275-1010Adam Grzebinoga6https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5983-7564Julia Szlążek7https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6977-8856Iwona Pudełko8https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6403-4141Barbara Roguska 9https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6905-7517Katowice Oncology Center: Katowice, Poland, PLThe Provincial Hospital in Bielsko-Biała Al. Armii Krajowej 101 43-316 Bielsko BiałaMedical University of Silesia, 18 Medyków Street 40-752 KatowiceIndependent Public Clinical Hospital named Andrzej Mielęcki of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice, Francuska 20-24 Street, 40-027 KatowiceIndependent Public Clinical Hospital named Andrzej Mielęcki of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice, Francuska 20-24 Street, 40-027 KatowiceCounty Hospital in Zawiercie, Miodowa street 14, 42-400University Clinical Center of Prof. K. Gibiński of the Silesian Medical University in Katowice, Medyków 14 Street, 40-752 KatowiceMedical University of Silesia, 18 Medyków Street 40-752 KatowiceUniversity Clinical Hospital in Wrocław, Borowska 213 street, 50-556 WrocławMedical University of Silesia, 18 Medyków Street 40-752 Katowice Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a long-established drug, initially used to treat malaria and later widely applied in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). As an immunomodulatory agent, HCQ plays a crucial role in managing chronic inflammation. Despite its benefits, its use requires monitoring due to potential adverse effects, including retinopathy and myopathy.[1] Objective This review analyzes HCQ’s role in modern medicine and public health, particularly in treating autoimmune diseases. It also examines controversies surrounding its use during the COVID-19 pandemic and its implications for medical education and health prevention. Current Knowledge HCQ modulates immune responses and lysosomal function, making it effective in controlling inflammation. Although hypotheses suggested antiviral properties against SARS-CoV-2, clinical trials did not confirm its efficacy, leading to changes in treatment recommendations. Methods A literature review of 32 scientific articles was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar, focusing on HCQ’s history, mechanism of action, and applications in medicine, public health, and education. Conclusion HCQ remains a key treatment for autoimmune diseases, though its long-term safety is still under study. Continuous research and medical education are essential for optimizing its use, including potential applications in sports and rehabilitation, where chronic inflammation affects recovery and performance. https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/59348hydroxychloroquineHCQautoimmune diseasesrheumatoid arthritissystemic lupus erythematosusmalaria |
| spellingShingle | Adam Jan Ząbek Jakub Paweł Kuźniar Emilia Gabriela Chrzanowska Michalina Zagalska Marta Turek Tomasz Tamborski Adam Grzebinoga Julia Szlążek Iwona Pudełko Barbara Roguska Hydroxychloroquine – Beyond Malaria: Its Role in Rheumatology and COVID-19 – A Literature Review Journal of Education, Health and Sport hydroxychloroquine HCQ autoimmune diseases rheumatoid arthritis systemic lupus erythematosus malaria |
| title | Hydroxychloroquine – Beyond Malaria: Its Role in Rheumatology and COVID-19 – A Literature Review |
| title_full | Hydroxychloroquine – Beyond Malaria: Its Role in Rheumatology and COVID-19 – A Literature Review |
| title_fullStr | Hydroxychloroquine – Beyond Malaria: Its Role in Rheumatology and COVID-19 – A Literature Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Hydroxychloroquine – Beyond Malaria: Its Role in Rheumatology and COVID-19 – A Literature Review |
| title_short | Hydroxychloroquine – Beyond Malaria: Its Role in Rheumatology and COVID-19 – A Literature Review |
| title_sort | hydroxychloroquine beyond malaria its role in rheumatology and covid 19 a literature review |
| topic | hydroxychloroquine HCQ autoimmune diseases rheumatoid arthritis systemic lupus erythematosus malaria |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/JEHS/article/view/59348 |
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