Comparison of Different Pharmaceutical Preparations of Colchicine in Children with FMF: Is Colchicine Opocalcium a Good Alternative?

BACKGROUND: Colchicine is an anti-inflammatory agent used for preventing FMF attacks and amyloidosis. Remarkable numbers of patients are non-responsive or intolerant to domestic drug colchicum dispert. AIM: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and side effects of colchicum dispert and colchicine opocalcium in children with FMF. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-nine children with FMF, who used colchicum dispert (CD) at least six months initially, and another consecutive 6 months of colchicine opocalcium (CO) were included. Sex and gender equity in research (SAGER) was considered. Clinical features, visual analog scale (VAS) for pain scores, exercise induced leg pain (EILP), and FMF severity scores with laboratory parameters were evaluated for both treatment periods. Bristol stool chart and number of stools per 24 hours were recorded for comparing gastrointestinal side effects. RESULTS: Major indication was non-responsiveness in 18 patients (62 %), and intolerance in 11 patients (38 %). Usage of CO (significantly higher dosage than CD) showed beneficial effects on number and duration of attacks, VAS for pain and EILP scores, also on FMF severity scores, statistically significantly (p<0.05 for each parameters). Bristol stool chart questionnaire scores decreased from 5.62 ± 1.56 to 4.15 ± 1.73 points, and scores of daily stool number decreased from 0.46 ± 0.894 points to 0.03 ± 0.118 (p<0.05). There were 12 patients who benefited from the switch without a change in dosage and the clinical features were better under CO treatment significantly. CONCLUSION: Pediatric FMF patients, who have active disease and/or gastrointestinal complaints during the use of CD, may benefit from CO