title: Colchicine prophylaxis in familial Mediterranean fever: reappraisal after 15 years.
abstract: As determined in this study of 45 patients, the prolonged use of colchicine therapy in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is safe and effective in preventing flares of FMF and amyloidosis. It has acceptable adverse effect profile and can be used in children and pregnant women. Its discontinuation predisposes patients to acute FMF attacks and the development of amyloidosis. Articular involvement is less responsive to colchicine and may require therapy with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine A, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ben-Chetrit
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levy
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003078:Colchicine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003078:Colchicine