Hydroxychloroquine in Colchicine-Resistant Glucocorticoid-Dependent Idiopathic Recurrent Pericarditis

Inclusion Criteria: * Male or female patients aged≥18 years * Idiopathic recurrent pericarditis with at least 2 recurrences * Recurrent pericarditis defined as a first episode of acute pericarditis followed by recurrences (at least two recurrences for this study). First episode of pericarditis is diagnosed when at least two of the following criteria were present: pericarditis typical chest pain (sharp and pleuritic, improved by sitting up and leaning forward), pericardial friction rubs, widespread ST segment elevation or PR interval (PR) depressions not previously reported, and new or worsening pericardial effusion. Recurrence is diagnosed when chest pain recurs and one or more of the following signs is present: fever, pericardial friction rub, ECG changes, echocardiographic evidence of new or worsening pericardial effusion, and elevations in the white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein. To be enrolled in this study, elevation of C-reactive protein is mandatory both in the first attack and in the following recurrences. The investigators differentiate recurrences from incessant pericarditis, term used to define patients with continued activity of pericarditis (with a symptom-free interval of \< 6 weeks) * Specific aetiologies excluded, including tuberculous, neoplastic or purulent aetiologies, post-cardiac injury syndromes, and rheumatic autoimmune diseases. * Female subjects must be postmenopausal, or incapable of pregnancy or permanently …