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Pericarditis recurs in 10% to 30% of patients. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of colchicine for recurrent pericarditis, investigators conducted a prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 120 patients at four urban general hospitals in Italy between August 2005 and April 2009. In addition to conventional anti-inflammatory treatment, patients were randomized to receive placebo or colchicine (1.0–2.0 mg on the first day, then 0.5–1.0 mg daily) for 6 months. The two groups were well matched at baseline, and all patients who tolerated treatment discontinued therapy at 6 months per protocol.
The following outcomes were significantly better with colchicine than with placebo:
Recurrence rate at 18 months (24% vs. 55%)
Median number …