Objective: To inventorise the possible development of infertility and pregnancy complications in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), on treatment with colchicine.
Design: Systematic review.
Method: PubMed was searched for articles in English, describing the effects of colchicine on fertility and pregnancy in animals or humans.
Results: We found 73 articles, 13 of which matched the inclusion criteria. We selected another 12 articles via cross references and after evaluation by the co-authors. From these articles it appeared that colchicine inhibits the clinical symptoms of FMF and the development of amyloid deposits. No statistically significant effect was found of colchicine treatment on semen quality or hormone levels. Treatment with colchicine during pregnancy did not lead to severe complications. Both male and female patients who were treated with colchicine had a better prospect of maintaining fertility, compared with patients without this treatment.
Conclusion: According to the literature selected, colchicine use has no demonstrable negative effect on fertility. If untreated, FMF itself can lead to amyloid deposits in the testis and ovary, resulting in infertility. Patients with FMF may safely continue to use colchicine throughout the reproductive phase of their life.