Open AccessThe effect of colchicine on mortality outcome and duration of hospital stay in patients with COVID‐19: A meta‐analysis of randomized trials
Author(s) -
Kow Chia Siang,
Lee LearnHan,
Ramachandram Dinesh Sangarran,
Hasan Syed Shahzad,
Ming Long Chiau,
Goh Hui Poh
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
immunity, inflammation and disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.918
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2050-4527
DOI - 10.1002/iid3.562
Subject(s) - medicine , meta analysis , odds ratio , confidence interval , randomized controlled trial , colchicine , covid-19 , strictly standardized mean difference , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Background Overactivation of the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome can lead to severe illness in patients with coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19). The NLRP3 inhibitor, colchicine, therefore, appears to be promising for the treatment of COVID‐19. Aims We aimed to perform a meta‐analysis of randomized trials investigating the effect of colchicine in patients with COVID‐19. Materials & Methods We systematically searched electronic databases and clinical trial registries (up to October 17, 2021) for eligible studies. The outcomes of interest were all‐cause mortality and duration of hospital stay. Meta‐analysis with the random‐effects model was used to estimate the pooled odds ratio (OR) of mortality and 95% confidence interval (CI). The pooled standardized mean difference of duration of hospital stay with 95% CI between colchicine users and non‐colchicine users was estimated using Cohen's d index. Results The meta‐analyses revealed no significant difference in the odds of mortality (pooled OR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.53–1.07), but a significant reduction in the duration of hospital stay with the use of colchicine (pooled standardized mean difference = −0.59; 95% CI: −1.06 to −0.13). Discussion and Conclusion The ability of colchicine to reduce the length of stay in hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 is consistent with its potential to prevent clinical deterioration via inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome. Nevertheless, such beneficial effects of colchicine did not translate into mortality benefits in patients with COVID‐19.