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Prevention of recurrent aphthous stomatitis with colchicine: an open trial
J Katz1, P Langevitz, J Shemer
1Department of Dentistry, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, Israel.
Background:
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a common disorder with hitherto unsatisfactory drug therapy.
Objective:
Our purpose was to evaluate the prophylactic effect of colchicine in the treatment of RAS.
Methods:
An open, prospective, 4-month study was conducted in 20 patients with RAS who served as their own controls. During the first 2 months of the study no medications were given and in the last 2 months colchicine, 1.5 mg/day, was prescribed.
Results:
The mean number of aphthae per week and the subjective daily pain scores were reduced by 71% and 77%, respectively, during colchicine treatment as compared with the previous period (p < 0.001 for both). No serious side effects of colchicine were noted.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest a role for continuous colchicine therapy in the prevention of RAS.
Insights
Colchicine significantly reduced the frequency and pain of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) in a 4-month study. This suggests colchicine is a promising preventative treatment for this common oral condition.
Area of Science:
- Oral medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is a prevalent oral condition.
- Current therapeutic options for RAS are often unsatisfactory.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prophylactic efficacy of colchicine for recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
- To assess colchicine's impact on RAS lesion occurrence and associated pain.
Main Methods:
- An open-label, prospective study over 4 months.
- 20 patients with RAS acted as their own controls.
- Colchicine (1.5 mg/day) was administered for the final 2 months, following a 2-month untreated period.
Main Results:
- A 71% reduction in the mean weekly number of aphthae was observed during colchicine treatment.
- Subjective daily pain scores decreased by 77% with colchicine therapy.
- No significant adverse effects were reported with colchicine use.
Conclusions:
- Continuous colchicine therapy demonstrates potential for preventing recurrent aphthous stomatitis.
- Colchicine offers a viable prophylactic option for managing RAS.
- Further research into colchicine for RAS prevention is warranted.