Low-dose colchicine significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared to placebo in secondary prevention (RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.60-0.92).
Meta-Analysis (n=21,774)
Does low-dose colchicine reduce major adverse cardiovascular events in patients requiring secondary prevention?
Low-dose colchicine added to standard care for at least 12 months significantly reduces the risk of MACE, myocardial infarction, and stroke in secondary prevention.
Relative Risk: 0.74 (95% CI 0.6–0.92)
BACKGROUND: Colchicine shows promise in reducing cardiovascular risk, but a recent study raised the question whether this is really the case. We conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to assess its impact on cardiovascular outcomes in secondary prevention. METHODS: We systematically searched major databases up to March 2025 for RCTs comparing colchicine to placebo over a treatment duration of ≥12 months, reporting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Both fixed- and random-effects models were used to compute pooled risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Six RCTs comprising 21,774 patients were included. Colchicine significantly reduced the risk of MACEs (RR 0.74 0.60-0.92) and specific components of primary outcome (myocardial infarction, RR 0.85 0.73-0.98; stroke, RR 0.79 0.65-0.95), with no significant effect on cardiac death and revascularization. CONCLUSION: These results support the efficacy of low-dose colchicine in reducing MACEs when added to standard care for at least 12 months.
Xie et al. (Mon,) conducted a meta-analysis in Cardiovascular risk in secondary prevention (n=21,774). Colchicine vs. Placebo was evaluated on Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) (RR 0.74, 95% CI 0.60-0.92). Low-dose colchicine significantly reduced the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events compared to placebo in secondary prevention (RR 0.74; 95% CI 0.60-0.92).