A new study is suggesting that a low dose of colchicine may be associated with lower incidences of both total knee replacement and total hip replacement surgeries. The analysis, which was published in Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests this might be a simple and safe way of lowering the risks for knee and hip replacements.

Osteoarthritis is an increasingly common joint disease that can be associated with low-grade inflammation in response to weight-bearing traumatic injury. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between the use of anti-inflammatory therapies and the slowing of osteoarthritis disease progression. Colchicine is effective in many inflammatory and fibrotic conditions, but it is not currently recommended for treatment of osteoarthritis. Its long-term effects have also not been assessed.

Researchers from the Netherlands examined whether colchicine reduced incident total knee replacements and total hip replacements. In the study, 5,522 participants aged 35 to 82 from 43 centers in Australia and the Netherlands received 0.5 mg of colchicine daily or matching placebo. The participants were followed for more than two years (28.6 months).

The authors found that 2.5% of persons receiving colchicine had total knee replacement or total hip replacement compared with 3.5% of persons who received placebo. The observations support the hypothesis that inflammation plays a role in the progression of osteoarthritis. Colchicine has been widely used to treat other diseases and is generally considered to have a favorable safety profile. This makes it a good candidate for treatment of osteoarthritis.

Colchicine is used to prevent or treat attacks of gout (also called gouty arthritis). This condition is caused by too much uric acid in the blood. An attack of gout occurs when uric acid causes inflammation (pain, redness, swelling, and heat) in a joint. Colchicine does not cure gout, but it will help prevent gout attacks.

John Schieszer is an award-winning national journalist and radio and podcast broadcaster of The Medical Minute. He can be reached at medicalminutes@gmail.com.