Hydroxychloroquine Sulfate Related Hypoglycemia In A Non-Diabetic COVID-19 Patient: A Case Report and Literature Review


Imanova Yaghji N., Kan E., Akcan S., Çolak R., Atmaca A.

POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE, cilt.133, sa.5, ss.548-551, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
  • Cilt numarası: 133 Sayı: 5
  • Basım Tarihi: 2021
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1080/00325481.2021.1889820
  • Dergi Adı: POSTGRADUATE MEDICINE
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.548-551
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19, hydroxychloroquine, hypoglycemia, SARS-CoV-2
  • Ondokuz Mayıs Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: Hypoglycemia is a serious adverse effect of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) which is very rare in non-diabetic patients. This case report describes a non-diabetic patient without any other chronic diseases, who experienced mild hypoglycemia related to HCQ used for COVID-19 treatment. Methods: All etiologies causing hypoglycemia were investigated and a 72-hour fast test was performed. Results: A 34-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital with a high fever, cough, and chest pain. The result of his COVID-19 PCR test was positive. He received HCQ for 10 days for the treatment of COVID-19 infection. He experienced fatigue, dizziness, severe headache, weakness and feeling of hunger after discontinuation of HCQ during his isolation at home. Before COVID-19 infection, he never experienced hypoglycemia symptoms. He did not have a history of chronic diseases, drug use, alcohol consumption, or smoking. A 72-hour fasting test was performed. He complained about headache and weakness during the 72-hour test period. The PG level was determined as 49 mg/dl during these symptoms. Concurrent insulin and C-peptide levels were <2 mU/mL and 0.553 ng/mL, respectively. ACTH, cortisol, growth hormones, liver and kidney function tests were normal. HbA1c level was 4.7% (28 mmol/mol) (Normal Range %4,5-5,7). Conclusion: Hypoglycemia may be observed as an adverse effect of HCQ used for COVID-19 infection even in patients without chronic diseases and comorbidities. We must be careful while using HCQ for these patients and must warn them about this effect. The warning about hypoglycemia effect of HCQ must be added to COVID-19 treatment guidelines.