Chronic use of hydroxychloroquine did not protect against COVID-19 in a large cohort of patients with rheumatic diseases in Brazil.

"Declarations Ethics approval and consent to participateThis protocol was approved by the Brazilian Committee of Ethics in Human Research – CONEP on March 27th, 2020 (CAAE 30246120.3.1001.5505). The informed consent process was conducted by phone, as CONEP waived the requirement for the written informed consent form due to the COVID-19 social distancing constraints. This study was registered at the Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC; RBR – 9KTWX6). All sections are in accordance with STROBE guidelines. Consent for publicationThe consent of publication was given together with the consent of participation fol all participants and Investigators. Competing interestsThe authors declare that they have no competing interests. Competing interests The authors declare that they have no competing interests."

"Funding Support sponsored by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development CNPQ."

"Trial registration Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC; RBR – 9KTWX6)."