Is there value in prescribing colchicine in coronary artery disease for secondary prevention: a meta-analysis of over 5,000 patients

Abstract Introduction Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is the single greatest cause of mortality and loss of disability adjusted life years (DALYs) worldwide. Inflammation plays a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, with numerous evidence from prospective studies indicating that increasing C-reactive protein levels (hs-CRP) are independently associated with increasing risk of cardiovascular events. Colchicine, is an inexpensive, potent anti-inflammatory drug considered as a staple therapy for gout. Recent studies have shown that colchicine use may prove to be useful in the prevention of cardiovascular events. Purpose In patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) does administration of low dose colchicine lead to reduced all-cause mortality, cardiovascular risk and morbidity. Methods A meta-analysis was performed based on randomized controlled trials obtained from Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, Medline and Medline ahead of print published between 2000 and 2020. Main outcome measures include all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events, CRP levels and prevalence of CRP levels less than 2.0 mg/L. Data synthesis and analysis was done using RevMan 5.3 using a random effects model. Results A total of 5 randomized controlled trials, representing 5,430 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Three trials administered colchicine 1 mg/day while the rest were assigned colchicine. 5 mg/day. Administration of colchicine in CAD patients was found to reduce all-cause mortality (RR=0.66, 95% CI: 0.30 to 1.46, p=0.31) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (RR=0.61, 95% CI: 0.25 to 1.47, p=0.27), although results were non-significant. Reduced CRP levels (Mean difference = −0.88, 95% CI: −1.76 to 0.01, p=0.05) compared to control group as well as a higher prevalence of patients with CRP levels <2.0 mg/L were found (RR=2.27, 95% CI: 0.45 to 11.33, p=0.32), although results were non-significant. Discussion Few studies are available evaluating the benefits of low dose colchicine in CAD patients. The beneficial effects of colchicine has been proposed due to its ability to inhibit neutrophil chemotaxis which may reduce the risk of plaque instability. The use of colchicine for secondary prevention of CAD will require long-term use, which will require the need for preparations that address its intolerance (mostly gastrointestinal) to prevent early discontinuation of the medication. Conclusion There's limited evidence on the benefit of low dose colchicine in CAD patients. Further large scale randomized-controlled trials are needed, and its dose-response relationship ascertained before consideration of its use could be given in CAD patients. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None