Effect of colchicine on clinical outcomes in COVID-19

ABSTRACT

Introduction: To date, there is no specific therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Among antiinflammatory agents, colchicine has been proposed as a treatment. Objectif To evaluate the effect of treatment with colchicine on clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID19. Method(s) In the pulmonary department at Habib Bourguiba Hospital, southern Tunisia, 162 consecutive inpatients (Group1, G1) with virologically and radiographically confirmed COVID-19 admitted between January and March 2021, were treated with institutional treatment for COVID-19. They were compared with 86 consecutive inpatients (Group2, G2)admitted between 01 April and 20 June, treated with colchicine 0.5mg twice daily in addition to standard of care for as long as 3 weeks. Result(s) No differences were found between the two groups regarding the sex, age, biological inflammatory markers and extend of radiological damage. Obesity was more prevalent in G1 (27, 9% versus 26%, p= 0,94), however, diabetes mellitus was more frequent in G2 (44, 2% versus 37, 8 %, p= 0,29). D-dimer level was significantly higher in G1 (1349 mug/l versus 943 mug/l;p=0,008). Using univariate analysis, colchicine reduced in-hospital mortality (13, 7% versus 27, 6%;p=0,014). No significant difference were found between the two groups regarding length of hospitalisation (p= 0, 68) and need for mechanical ventilation (p= 0, 43). Following multivariate analysis including, no significant difference was found between the two groups regarding inhospital mortality (OR= 1, 29 (95% CI 0,496 to 3,040);p=0, 65). Conclusion(s) Our study shows that colchicine did not improve outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19 infection.