Beneficial effect of colchicine in a case of sclerosing cholangitis

Am J Med Sci. 1986 Jun;291(6):416-8. doi: 10.1097/00000441-198606000-00008.

Abstract

A patient with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosis cholangitis confirmed by liver biopsy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography presented with severely altered liver function tests. A month of steroid treatment for the colitis symptoms had no effect on the liver function tests, and colchicine, 1 mg/day, was added. After 3 months of this combined treatment, improvement of the liver function tests was noted and progressed to complete normalization of all liver function tests at the end of a 2-year period of follow-up. On further follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic and with normal liver function tests for an additional 3 years. Further controlled studies would be worthwhile to evaluate the possibility of treatment of primary sclerosis cholangitis with colchicine with or without steroids.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde
  • Cholangitis / complications
  • Cholangitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Cholangitis / drug therapy*
  • Cholangitis / physiopathology
  • Colchicine / therapeutic use*
  • Colitis, Ulcerative / complications
  • Humans
  • Liver Function Tests
  • Male
  • Sclerosis

Substances

  • Colchicine