The prevention of amyloidosis in familial Mediterranean fever with colchicine.
Colchicine has been used since 1972 to prevent the acute attacks of familial Mediterranean fever. The present study shows that colchicine is also effective in the prevention of amyloidosis. If initiated in patients without evidence of renal disease there is no appearance of proteinuria and no progression to renal insufficiency over long follow-up periods. Moreover, it ameliorates the course of the disease in patients with amyloid nephropathy and normal renal function. It does not alter the course of the disease if initiated after renal function is even mildly impaired. These findings suggest that colchicine prevents the new deposition of amyloid.
D000328:Adult; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002648:Child; D003078:Colchicine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control
D003078:Colchicine