Abstract
Background: Recent studies have revealed the benefits of using colchicine, a drug with anti-inflammatory properties, in coronary artery disease (CAD). This study systematically reviewed the benefits and risks of low-dose colchicine in patients with CAD. Methods and Results: We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science databases (March 2020). Efficacy and safety outcomes were evaluated. Estimates are expressed as risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed with I(2) test. Confidence in the pooled evidence was appraised using the GRADE framework. Colchicine reduced the rate of major adverse cardiovascular events (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.49-0.86; 6 RCTs; I(2)=50%; 11,718 patients; GRADE, moderate confidence), acute coronary syndrome (RR 0.64; 95% CI 0.46-0.90; I(2)=47%; 7 RCTs; 11,955 patients; GRADE, very low confidence), stroke (RR 0.49; 95% CI 0.30-0.78; I(2)=0%; 6 RCTs; 11,896 patients; GRADE, moderate confidence), and cardiovascular interventions (RR 0.61; 95% CI 0.42-0.89; I(2)=40%; 4 RCTs; 11,284 patients; GRADE, high confidence). Colchicine did not increase the risk of adverse events, except for gastrointestinal events (RR 1.54; 95% CI 1.11-2.13; I(2)=72%; 9 RCTs; 12,374 patients; GRADE, very low confidence). Conclusions: Low-dose colchicine in patients with CAD is associated with beneficial effects on prognosis, although an increased risk of gastrointestinal events was confirmed.