Colchicine enhances intestinal permeability in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Objective: Colchicine therapy is complicated by frequent gastrointestinal adverse effects. Methods: We compared intestinal permeability in 21 patients with familial Mediterranean fever on long-standing colchine therapy (mean 5.8 years) and significant gastrointestinal complaints and 12 untreated patients and 14 healthy volunteers. The double probe (lactulose/mannitol) permeability test was performed using a hyperosmolar test solution (1580 mosmol) and the differential urinary recovery ratios were calculated.