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Reassessment of Risks and Benefits

W. Neal Roberts, MD; Matthew H. Liang, MD, MPH; Steven H. Stern, MD

JAMA. 1987;257(14):1920-1922.

Abstract
Colchicine is an effective and relatively specific treatment for acute gout and has a long, venerable history. Serious toxic reactions to colchicine could be prevented if guidelines for its use were followed strictly, but because of its relatively infrequent use and conflicting recommendations, considerable toxic effects might occur and still be undetected by passive surveillance. A review of a teaching hospital's four years' experience showed two deaths (2% incidence) due to inappropriate use. Colchicine has the smallest benefit-to-toxicity ratio of drugs that are effective for acute gout. This article gives specific recommendations for the use of colchicine in different clinical settings.

(JAMA 1987;257:1920-1922)

Author Affiliations
From the Robert B. Brigham Multipurpose Arthritis Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital (Drs Roberts, Liang, and Stern), and the Departments of Rheumatology/Immunology (Drs Roberts, Liang, and Stern) and Medicine (Dr Liang), Harvard Medical School, Boston. Dr Roberts is now with the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Robert B. Brigham Multipurpose Arthritis Center, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115 (Dr Liang).

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