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A group of researchers from Montreal Heart Institute (MHI) have discovered that a drug used against gout reduces mortality by up to 44% in patients with COVID-19 and in a 25% hospitalizations. The conclusions have been reached after analyzing the results of a study with 4,488 patients worldwide.
By name colchicina o colquicina, the drug, which also can be used against arthritis and cirrhosis, has shown its ability to reduce cytokine levels and activation of macrophages, neutrophils and inflammasome.
Reduction in risk of death
“Our clinical study has shown that the use of colchicine was associated with statistically significant reductions in the risk of death and hospitalization compared to placebo.” have detailed those responsible for the investigation, called ‘Colcorona’.
“In those patients with a proven diagnosis of COVID-19, colchicine reduced hospitalizations by 25%, the need for mechanical ventilation by 50%, and deaths by 44%. This great scientific discovery makes colchicine the first oral drug in the world that can be used to treat non-hospitalized patients with covid-19 ”, they explained.
Prevention of the ‘cytokine storm’
“Our study shows the efficacy of colchicine treatment in preventing the ‘cytokine storm’ phenomenon and reducing complications associated with COVID-19.” has pointed Jean-Claude Tardif, director of the MHI Research Center and principal investigator of the study.
The investigation was carried out in Canada, United States, Europe, South America and South Africa. In it a non-contact, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled system and designed to test whether colchicine reduced the risk of complications associated with COVID-19.
“It is the largest study in the world in which an orally administered drug has been tested in COVID-19 patients who have not been hospitalized. Treating patients at risk of complications with colchicine as soon as the diagnosis of COVID-19 is confirmed by a PCR test reduces the risk of developing a serious form of the disease and, consequently, reduces the number of hospitalizations. For this reason, prescribing this drug could alleviate the problems of hospital congestion and reduce healthcare costs ”, the researchers conclude.