Colchicine ameliorates the chronic inflammatory state in patients with chronic rheumatic valvular heart disease: a pilot study

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is an important contributor to the pathogenesis of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). High serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are commonly seen in patients with chronic (RHD) and indicate the presence of a chronic inflammatory state. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of colchicine as anti-inflammatory drug on the serum levels of the inflammatory markers (CRP) and (IL-6) in patients with chronic (RHD). RESULTS: This is a prospective controlled study that enrolled thirty-five patients with chronic (RHD) visiting Ain Shams University Hospital’s outpatient clinic for receiving regular long acting penicillin as rheumatic fever prophylaxis. Ten matched healthy individuals were taken as control group. Blood samples for serum levels of CRP and IL-6 were collected before and 1 month after receiving colchicine 0.5 mg BID. Mean (CRP) level was 6.09 ± 4.39 IU/ml versus 0 IU/ml in the control group respectively (P = 0.0001). Mean (IL-6) level was 113.57 ± 37.41 ng/l versus 10.50 ± 5.99 ng/l, in the control group (p = 0.0001). Mean (CRP) was 6.09 ± 4.39 IU/ml before and became 3.34 ± 3.07I U/ml 1 month after colchicine therapy. Mean (IL-6) level was 113.57 ± 37.4 ng/l before and became 45.57 ± 20.39 ng/l 1 month after colchicine therapy (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, using colchicine as anti-inflammatory drug in patients with chronic (RHD) significantly reduced the serum inflammatory markers (CRP) and (IL-6), thus helping in ameliorating their chronic inflammatory state.