Hydroxychloroquine-associated hyperpigmentation mimicking elder abuse

Hydroxychloroquine-induced hyperpigmentation of the skin and bull's-eye maculopathy in rheumatic patients: a case report and literature review

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is used as a traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), for the treatment of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). However, it can cause serious adverse reactions, including hyperpigmentation of the skin and bull's-eye macular lesions. Here, we present a case of HCQ-induced hyperpigmentation of the skin and bull's-eye macular lesions in a patient who received HCQ for RA. A 65-year-old female patient developed blurred vision and hyperpigmentation of multiple areas of skin over the body for one month after 3 years of HCQ treatment for RA. Based on clinical presentation, ophthalmological examination and dermatopathological biopsy, a diagnosis of drug-induced cutaneous hyperpigmentation and bullous maculopathy of the right eye was made. After discontinuation of HCQ and treatment with iguratimod tablets, the hyperpigmentation of the patient 's skin was gradually reduced, and the symptoms of blurred vision were not significantly improved. We also reviewed the available literature on HCQ-induced cutaneous hyperpigmentation and bull's-eye macular lesions and described the clinical features of HCQ-induced cutaneous hyperpigmentation and bull's-eye macular lesions. In conclusion, clinicians should be aware of early cutaneous symptoms and HCQ-associated ophthalmotoxicity in patients with rheumatic diseases on HCQ sulphate and should actively monitor patients, have them undergo regular ophthalmological examinations and give appropriate treatment to prevent exacerbation of symptoms.

The Cutaneous Manifestations of Drug Reactions Can Mimic Traumatic Injuries: Case Reports and the Potential Role of Forensic Dermatology

The evaluation of the skin of the decedent is an essential component of the assessment by the forensic pathologist or the medical examiner. Age-associated cutaneous changes, primary diseases of the skin, and systemic conditions with mucocutaneous manifestations can be present. Importantly, several dermatoses can be misinterpreted for traumatic injuries; specifically, adverse reactions to medications can mimic assault, burns, elder abuse, and mutilation or torture. A male with corticosteroid-induced dermatitis mimicking an acute burn is described. A female with thalidomide embryopathy is reported with extensive deformities of her hands and feet with multiple absent digits mimicking a severe injury resulting from mutilation or torture. Another female is described who had hydroxychloroquine-associated hyperpigmentation; her physician misinterpreted the cutaneous hyperpigmentation as bruises and notified Adult Protective Services. Reactions to medications can also mimic assault, burns, and elder abuse. Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (particularly when associated with phenytoin) can mimic assault. Albeit rarely, the antihypertensive irbesartan can result in dramatic edema of the face and eyelids similar to that observed following an assault. Drug-induced erythema multiforme can mimic a localized burn, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome or vancomycin infusion reaction can mimic an extensive burn. Several medications can mimic bruising observed in victims of elder abuse; they include amiodarone, arsenic, and tetracyclines (such as minocycline and doxycycline). In summary, an important aspect of the forensic evaluation during an autopsy includes a complete cutaneous examination; to aid in differentiating medication-associated dermatoses that can mimic traumatic injury, the evaluation of the decedent by a forensic dermatologist may be helpful to establish the etiology of observed skin changes.

The color of skin: blue diseases of the skin, nails, and mucosa

Diseases of the skin, hair, nails and mucosa can appear as flesh-colored lesions or may present as any of the colors of the visual spectrum. Diseases associated with blue (or shades of blue) discoloration represent a unique group of conditions that occur de novo or as a reaction to either a topical or a systemic agent to which the individual has been exposed. Blue diseases can affect the skin, the nails or the mucosal membranes of the mouth (buccal mucosa, gingiva, lips, palate or tongue) or eyes (sclera). In addition to appearing blue, they can also appear as blue-black, blue-brown, blue-gray, blue-green, blue-purple, blue-red, and blue-silver. The conditions range from those secondary to exogenous agents (systemic or tattoo or topical) to syndromes to systemic diseases to tumors (adnexal, melanocytic, vascular, or miscellaneous). A comprehensive attempt to include all conditions that have been described as blue (or a shade of blue) has been performed by evaluating the following terms using the medical search engine PubMed: blue and either gingiva, lips, lunula, mucosa, nails, oral, palate, sclera, skin, or tongue. Subsequently, the conditions were organized by color (blue and shades of blue) and within each color by location (skin, nails, oral mucosa and sclera). The results are presented in organized tables; in addition, there is discussion of some of the conditions that are unique to one or more specific locations. In conclusion, 'preserve and cherish the pale blue dot' and remember that a big red rock eater with chrysiasis is the answer to the riddle, "What is big and blue and eats rocks?"

An Update on Drug-Induced Pigmentation

Drug-induced pigmentation accounts for up to 20% of all cases of acquired pigmentation. A thorough review of medical history and previous and ongoing medications as well as a complete skin examination can guide diagnosis. Implicated agents include alkylating/cytotoxic agents, analgesics, antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, antiepileptics, antimalarials, antimicrobials, antiretrovirals, metals, prostaglandin analogs, and psychotropic agents, among others. Confirming true drug associations can be challenging, especially in the setting of delayed onset of pigmentation and coexisting polypharmacy.

Pharmacotherapy Pearls in Rheumatology for the Care of Older Adult Patients: Focus on Oral Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs and the Newest Small Molecule Inhibitors

Providing safe and effective pharmacotherapy to geriatric patients with rheumatologic disorders is challenging. Multidisciplinary care involving rheumatologists, primary care physicians, and other specialties can optimize benefit and reduce adverse outcomes. Oral disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, including methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, and leflunomide, and the small molecule inhibitors tofacitinib and apremilast have distinctive monitoring requirements and specific adverse reaction profiles. This article provides clinically relevant pearls for use of these interventions in older patients.

Hydroxychloroquine-induced hyperpigmentation in systemic diseases: prevalence, clinical features and risk factors: a cross-sectional study of 41 cases

Introduction Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial agent widely prescribed in internal medicine, rheumatology and dermatology. Its use can be complicated by various side effects including skin pigmentation. Objectives The aim of the study is to review epidemiological, clinical features and risk factors of hydroxychloroquine-induced pigmentation. Materials and methods We performed a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 5 months. During this period, patients who had been treated with hydroxychloroquine for over 6 months, in the internal medicine department, underwent a complete dermatological examination. All patients completed a structured questionnaire to collect demographic data, dosage and treatment duration of hydroxychloroquine, other drug intake, hydroxychloroquine indication, and presence of pigmentary changes on the skin, nail, hair, and mucosa. Results A total of 41 patients (38 women and 3 men) were included in the study. The mean age was 39.2 ± 15.4 years. The hydroxychloroquine was indicated for systemic lupus erythematosus in 73.2%, dermatomyositis in 12.2%, rheumatoid arthritis in 9.8%, actinic lichen and sarcoidosis each in 2.4%. Cutaneous pigmented lesions were found in 21 cases (51%), mucous pigmentation in 5 cases (12%) and nail pigmentation in 1 case (2.5%). In 12 of 41 (29%) of the hydroxychloroquine users, we conclude a hydroxychloroquine-induced pigmentation. There were 11 women and one man with a mean age of 43 years and all of them were systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Pigmented lesions were located on the lower limbs in seven cases, the face in two cases, lips in two cases and the gum in two cases. Pigmentation appeared after a median duration of hydroxychloroquine treatment of 32 months with a median cumulative dose of 361 g. Overall, two patients reported that the appearance of pigmented lesions was preceded by the occurrence of ecchymotic areas following microtrauma. Significant association was found between hydroxychloroquine-induced pigmentation and treatment with oral anticoagulants and/or antiplatelet agents ( p = 0.03). Conclusion Our systematic examination of patients demonstrated that hydroxychloroquine-induced pigmentation is not rare. The imputability of hydroxychloroquine in the genesis of this discoloration is difficult to establish. Our study supports the hypothesis that ecchymosis, platelet antiaggregants and oral anticoagulants may be the main predisposing factors to hydroxychloroquine-induced pigmentation.

Pharmacotherapy Pearls for the Geriatrician: Focus on Oral Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs Including Newer Agents

Providing safe and effective pharmacotherapy to the geriatric patients with rheumatological disorders is an ongoing struggle for the rheumatologist and geriatrician alike. Cohesive communication and partnership can improve the care of these patients and subvert adverse outcomes. Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, including methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, and leflunomide, and the newest oral agent for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, tofacitinib, have distinctive monitoring and adverse effect profiles. This article provides the general practitioner or geriatrician with clinically relevant pearls regarding the use of these interventions in older patients.

Trastuzumab-Associated Flagellate Erythema: Report in a Woman with Metastatic Breast Cancer and Review of Antineoplastic Therapy-Induced Flagellate Dermatoses

Introduction

Flagellate erythema presents as erythematous, individual and intermingled, linear streaks in a whiplash-like pattern. Several conditions, including antineoplastic agents, have been associated with flagellate erythema. A woman with metastatic breast cancer who developed flagellate erythema after receiving trastuzumab is described and the features of flagellate erythema associated with other antineoplastic agents are reviewed.

Methods

PubMed was used to search the following terms, separately and in combination: agent, antineoplastic, bendamustine, bleomycin, breast, cancer, chemotherapy, dermatitis, dermatosis, docetaxel, erythema, flagellate, Herceptin, pigmentation, peplomycin, therapy, and trastuzumab. All papers were reviewed and relevant manuscripts, along with their reference citations, were evaluated.

Results

The woman’s pruritus and skin lesions promptly resolved after treatment with corticosteroids (oral and topical) and antihistamines (oral); premedication with dexamethasone prior to each subsequent trastuzumab treatment prevented recurrence of flagellate erythema. Chemotherapy-induced flagellate erythema was initially described in oncology patients who received bleomycin. In addition to trastuzumab, other antineoplastic agents that have been associated with the development of flagellate erythema include bendamustine, docetaxel, and peplomycin.

Conclusion

Cutaneous adverse events to trastuzumab are uncommon. However, flagellate erythema should be added to the potential side effects of trastuzumab. In addition, trastuzumab should be added to the list of antineoplastic agents that may be associated with flagellate erythema.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13555-015-0085-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Assessment of hydroxychloroquine maculopathy after cessation of treatment: an optical coherence tomography and multifocal electroretinography study

Objective

This study was conducted to evaluate the macular status of patients treated with hydroxychloroquine before and after cessation of treatment.

Methods

Forty-two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus underwent ocular examination based on visual acuity evaluation, optical coherence tomography retinal thickness measurements, and multifocal electroretinography (mfERG) records at first visit. The tests were repeated 6 months after treatment withdrawal and compared to the findings at their first visit.

Results

Mean visual acuity (measured in log minimum angle of resolution) of both eyes was statistically increased after hydroxychloroquine discontinuation (difference in means: 0.06 [P<0.0001] and 0.01 [P=0.003] for the right and left eyes, respectively). Retinal response amplitudes of central and peripheral areas were significantly improved for both eyes. The following values were observed for central responses: the difference in means was −19.9 (P<0.0001) and −13.6 (P<0.0001) for the right eye and the left eye, respectively; for peripheral responses, difference in means was −10.3 (P<0.0001) and −9.5 (P<0.0001) for right eye and left eye, respectively, after the 6-month examination. There were no statistically significant differences in the retinal thickness of patients after cessation of treatment. The visual acuity of the patients was correlated to central and peripheral mfERG responses (r=−0.53 [P<0.0001] and r=−0.53 [P<0.0001], for the right eye and the left eye, respectively).

Conclusion

The visual acuity of patients receiving hydroxychloroquine improves along with the amplitudes of the mfERG responses 6 months after discontinuation of the drug, but no difference in retinal thickness is identified.

A case of thrombocytopenia associated with the use of hydroxychloroquine following open heart surgery

INTRODUCTION

Thrombocytopenia is a common problem occurring in patients and drug-induced thrombocytopenia is a significant cause of thrombocytopenia.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We present an unusual case of thrombocytopenia that was considered to be associated with the use of hydroxychloroquine in the late term following open heart surgery.

DISCUSSION

The drug-induced thrombocytopenia, mechanical destruction of the platelets, and hemodilution are common causes of low platelet count. Although drug-induced immune thrombocytopenia has a mild clinical course in most cases (in this case it has severe clinical course), some patients may experience life-threatening hemorrhages. The decision to discontinue the drug that is deemed to be responsible from the drug-induced thrombocytopenia (DITP) relies on the clinical condition of the patient. The diagnosis is mostly established by discontinuation, exclusion, and correlation because the tests performed to detect drug-dependent antibodies (DDAbs) for the diagnosis of DITP are time-consuming, and these tests are also not commonly available. The authors of the current study diagnosed DITP by discontinuation of the drug. We suggest that the use of hydroxychloroquine could be severe thrombocytopenia occurring after open heart surgery.

CONCLUSION

The medication history must be carefully reviewed in patients presenting with thrombocytopenia, and if the medications could cause thrombocytopenia must be discontinued.