Heart, lung & circulation
-
Heart, lung & circulation · Jul 2015
Review Meta AnalysisThe Role of Colchicine in Pericarditis--A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Trials.
Colchicine has been used in diverse clinical settings. Primary idiopathic pericarditis is complicated by recurrence in 15 to 30% of cases. Aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, colchicine and steroids are the commonly prescribed medications. We synthesised the available evidence from the randomised trials to assess the efficacy and safety of colchicine in primary and recurrent pericarditis. ⋯ Colchicine is effective in preventing both primary and recurrent episodes of pericarditis. The number needed to treat for preventing recurrent pericarditis was five. Gastrointestinal side-effects were the most common adverse events.