Is colchicine beneficial in the management of coronary artery disease?

This study looked at the use of colchicine (Colcrys) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). It found that colchicine reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke in these patients. 

CAD is a condition affecting the blood vessels in the heart. It leads to narrow or blocked blood vessels. It can lead to heart attacks, stroke or death. CAD is partly caused by inflammation in the blood vessels. Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory medication.

It is not clear if colchicine reduces the risk of heart attack, stroke, or death in patients with CAD.

This study reviewed the results of 13 studies involving a total of 13,125 patients with CAD. All studies compared standard therapy with colchicine, to standard therapy with or without a placebo.

Compared to standard therapy with or without placebo, colchicine reduced the risk of heart attack by 36%. Colchicine also reduced the risk of stroke by 50%. However, colchicine had no effect on the risk of death, either from heart disease or other causes. Colchicine also increased the risk of stomach upset.

This study showed that adding colchicine to standard therapy in patients with CAD reduced the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Studies reviewed in this study used different criteria for assessing outcomes. That makes it difficult to combine the results with absolute certainty. Further studies are needed.