title: Colchicine for recurrent pericarditis (CORP): a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recurrence is the most common complication of pericarditis, affecting 10% to 50% of patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy and safety of colchicine for the secondary prevention of recurrent pericarditis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number: NCT00128414) SETTING: 4 general hospitals in urban areas of Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  120 patients with a first recurrence of pericarditis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In addition to conventional treatment, patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo or colchicine, 1.0 to 2.0 mg on the first day followed by a maintenance dose of 0.5 to 1.0 mg/d, for 6 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  The primary study end point was the recurrence rate at 18 months. Secondary end points were symptom persistence at 72 hours, remission rate at 1 week, number of recurrences, time to first recurrence, disease-related hospitalization, cardiac tamponade, and rate of constrictive pericarditis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 18 months, the recurrence rate was 24% in the colchicine group and 55% in the placebo group (absolute risk reduction, 0.31 [95% CI, 0.13 to 0.46]; relative risk reduction, 0.56 [CI, 0.27 to 0.73]; number needed to treat, 3 [CI, 2 to 7]). Colchicine reduced the persistence of symptoms at 72 hours (absolute risk reduction, 0.30 [CI, 0.13 to 0.45]; relative risk reduction, 0.56 [CI, 0.27 to 0.74]) and mean number of recurrences, increased the remission rate at 1 week, and prolonged the time to subsequent recurrence. The study groups had similar rates of side effects and drug withdrawal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Multiple recurrences and neoplastic or bacterial causes were excluded.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colchicine is safe and effective for secondary prevention of recurrent pericarditis.
authors.affiliation: Maria Vittoria Hospital and Ospedale degli Infermi, Torino, Ospedali Riuniti, Bergamo, San Maurizio Regional Hospital, Bolzano, Italy. massimo_imazio@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imazio
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brucato
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cemin
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferrua
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Belli
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maestroni
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Trinchero
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Spodick
authors.forename: Yehuda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Adler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003078:Colchicine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D003078:Colchicine