RESUMO
Many anti-inflammatory drugs like, tocilizumab, N-acetylcystiene and etolizumab has been repurposed for the management of COVID-19 with variable success. Colchicine exhibits anti-inflammatory activity by tubulin disruption and inhibition of leucocyte-mediated inflammatory activities like production of superoxide and release of various cytokines which are central to the pathophysiology of COVID-19. So, this systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the currently available data on the use of colchicine for the treatment of COVIDLJ19. A total of 3 studies (2 RCTS and 1 observational study) including 402 patients were included out of which 194 patients received colchicine. The random effect model showed the overall pooled OR to be 0.32 (95%CI: 0.18 to 0.56) for the primary outcome (Clinical deterioration) which was statistically significant (p <0.0001). Also there was increase in adverse effect (diarrhoea) with use of colchicine as suggested by the pooled OR (OR=4.56, 95%CI: 2.04 to 10.15, P=0.0002). With the limited number of available studies, it has shown statistically significant reduction in clinical deterioration in COVID-19. Though there was an increase in adverse effect in the form of diarrhoea, it was mild and self-limiting.
