Colchicine treatment of primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS:

There is no medical treatment of documented benefit in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Colchicine has been observed to reduce mortality in primary biliary cirrhosis in one study. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of colchicine in PSC.

METHODS:

Eighty-four patients with PSC were randomized to receive 1 mg of colchicine daily (n = 44) or placebo (n = 40) in a double-blind 3-year study. The effect of treatment was evaluated through blind scoring of 10 variables in prestudy and poststudy liver biopsy specimens, daily recording of symptoms, and biochemical tests (serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, albumin, immunoglobulins, ceruloplasmin, alpha 1-antitrypsin, and plasma prothrombin levels) at 6-month intervals.

RESULTS:

There was no evidence of a favorable effect of colchicine on survival, symptoms, serum biochemistry, or liver histology in patients with PSC.

CONCLUSIONS:

One milligram of colchicine daily is ineffective in PSC.

• Authors: R Olsson, U Broomé, A Danielsson, I Hägerstrand, G Järnerot, L Lööf, H Prytz, B O Rydén, S Wallerstedt
• Journal: Gastroenterology (Gastroenterology) Vol. 108 Issue 4 Pg. 1199-203 (Apr 1995) ISSN: 0016-5085 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7698589 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Colchicine

Topics

• Adult
• Cholangitis, Sclerosing (drug therapy, mortality, pathology)
• Colchicine (therapeutic use)
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Humans
• Liver (pathology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Survival Rate