Colchicine efficacy in COVID-19 patients: a narrative review

Abstract

COVID-19 has caused millions of deaths worldwide in just over a year. Although the mechanisms involved are not fully understood, several studies have reported a large inflammatory component, with subsequent uncontrolled release of cytokines (cytokine storm). The lack of specific proven therapies against this disease has led to the evaluation of the usefulness of safe and easily accessible drugs with an anti-inflammatory effect such as colchicine. We conducted a narrative review of the efficacy of colchicine on the main adverse clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19. We include 13 recently published studies in the main databases. We conclude that, in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients, colchicine could reduce mortality, the risk of requiring hospitalization and mechanical ventilation. While, in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, colchicine is not associated with a reduction in mortality, the need for mechanical ventilation, or the length of hospital stay. Neither has colchicine been shown to have a “prophylactic” role.