Padeh S, Gerstein M, Berkun Y. Colchicine is a safe drug in children with familial Mediterranean fever.
J Pediatr 2012;
161:1142-6. [PMID:
22738946 DOI:
10.1016/j.jpeds.2012.05.047]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2012] [Revised: 04/23/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To identify any adverse effects of colchicine in a pediatric patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
STUDY DESIGN
Clinical presentation, Mediterranean fever gene genotype, disease duration, colchicine dose, laboratory tests, and reported adverse effects in children with FMF were analyzed.
RESULTS
Of the 153 patients with FMF, 22 (14.4%) developed diarrhea during a follow-up of 4 years; the colchicine dose was reduced to control this symptom in only 4 patients. In 18 (11.8%) patients, a mild transitory increase of transaminases (45-158 IU/L) was found during a follow-up of 1 year. Blood cell counts and kidney function tests were normal in all patients. No correlation was found between the adverse effects and patient's age, disease onset, treatment duration, or any of the clinical characteristics of the disease.
CONCLUSION
Colchicine is a safe drug in the treatment of children with FMF, even in infancy. The only significant adverse effects are diarrhea (in a small number of patients), which can be controlled by a decrease in the colchicine dose and transitory elevation of transaminases.
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