The slow-acting, symptom modifying effects of colchicine in primary knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Aim: To determine whether the therapeutic use of colchicine along with etodolac (selective cox-2 inhibitor NSAIDs) confer any beneficial effect in the treatment of osteoarthritis of knee joint. Materials and methods: Forty selected subjects were randomized to receive either 0.5 mg of colchicine twice daily or placebo for 26 weeks. Results: Visual analog scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis total scale (WOMAC), and patient global assessment and physician global assessment scores were recorded on day 0, weeks 2, 6, 10, 14, 18, 22 and 26. Improvement rate at the end of 22 week was higher in colchicine group than placebo, as measured by VAS score (46.88 vs.51.11;P=0.033), WOMAC score (18.88 vs.24.56; P=0.019), patient global assessment score(34.69 vs. 38.33; P=0.039) and physician global assessment score (20.00 vs. 26.39; P=0.02). Conclusion: Subjects receiving colchicine plus etodolac exhibited significantly better symptom control at the end of 22 weeks than the placebo group.