Prevention of recurrent aphthous stomatitis with colchicine: an open trial.
BACKGROUND
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common disorder with hitherto unsatisfactory drug therapy.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of colchicine in the treatment of RAS.


METHODS
An open, prospective, 4-month study was conducted in 20 patients with RAS who served as their own controls. During the first 2 months of the study no medications were given and in the last 2 months colchicine, 1.5 mg/day, was prescribed.


RESULTS
The mean number of aphthae per week and the subjective daily pain scores were reduced by 71% and 77%, respectively, during colchicine treatment as compared with the previous period (p < 0.001 for both). No serious side effects of colchicine were noted.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest a role for continuous colchicine therapy in the prevention of RAS.
Katz
J
J
Department of Dentistry, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Langevitz
P
P
Shemer
J
J
Barak
S
S
Livneh
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003078:Colchicine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D013281:Stomatitis, Aphthous / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D003078:Colchicine