Fatigue as the only clinical manifestation of colchicine induced myopathy.
OBJECTIVE
Fatigue may be induced by drug. Here, we reported that patients had fatigue after medication with colchicines.


METHODS
Eight patients (8 Males, age: 42-72 years old) had fatigue but without weakness as their chief complaints. They all described an inability to maintain a sustained effort, which was ameliorated by rest.


RESULTS
The course of fatigue was insidious and progressive (mean 3.1 2.3 months, range 1-7 months) along with medication of colchicines (mean 20.3 5.5 months, range 11-28 months). Fatigue severity scale (patient: before drug withdrawal 5.41 0.19; 4 weeks after drug withdrawal 2.46 0.28; control 2.12 0.45) showed fatigue as their most disabling symptom, sometimes preventing them to carry on professional as well as socio-familial activities. The plasma creatine kinase elevated in these 8 patients before withdrawal of colchicines and returned to normal range in each subject 4 weeks after drug withdrawal. A probable diagnosis of drug-induced fatigue was made when symptom subsided after colchicines were discontinued.


CONCLUSIONS
It is emphasized that side effect of drug should be considered as a differential diagnosis of fatigue in patients having colchicines. Early recognition and diagnosis will prevent serious muscle damage.
Lo
Yang-Ching
YC
Department of Neurology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Lin
Kong-Ping
KP
Lin
Chia-Yi
CY
Kao
Chuen-Der
CD
Chen
Jen-Tse
JT
Lai
Kuan-Lin
KL
Lin
Yung-Yang
YY
Lee
Yi-Chung
YC
Liao
Kwong-Kum
KK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003078:Colchicine / Q000633:toxicity*; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D005221:Fatigue / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D050257:Tubulin Modulators / Q000633:toxicity*
D050257:Tubulin Modulators; D003402:Creatine Kinase; D003078:Colchicine