GASTROINTESTINAL COMPLICATIONS OF COLCHICINE THERAPY IN GOUT

Abstract

Although the pharmacology and toxic manifestations of colchicine for gouty arthritis have been well described, there are few reports in the literature on pathologic lesions of the gastrointestinal tract induced by colchicine administration, perhaps because surgical intervention at the opportune time to observe such changes has been rare. Following a brief discussion of the clinical picture of colchicine poisoning, two cases of gastrointestinal complications following colchicine administration, as observed at surgery, are reported. In one case there were diffuse hemorrhages of the subserosa of the intestines, while the second case showed diffuse inflammatory changes of the abdominal viscera. Experimental data reviewed suggests that colchicine is capable of producing the pathologic changes noted.