Evidence
This page contains a snapshot of featured content which highlights evidence addressing key clinical questions including areas of uncertainty. Please see the main topic reference list for details of all sources underpinning this topic.
BMJ Best Practice evidence tables
Evidence tables provide easily navigated layers of evidence in the context of specific clinical questions, using GRADE and a BMJ Best Practice Effectiveness rating. Follow the links at the bottom of the table, which go to the related evidence score in the main topic text, providing additional context for the clinical question. Find out more about our evidence tables.
This table is a summary of the analysis reported in a Cochrane Clinical Answer that focuses on the above important clinical question.
Confidence in the evidence is moderate or low to moderate where GRADE has been performed and the intervention may be more effective/beneficial than the comparison for key outcomes.
Population: People with acute or recurrent pericarditis
Intervention: Colchicine plus aspirin
Comparison: Aspirin alone (placebo or no colchicine)
| Outcome | Effectiveness (BMJ rating)? | Confidence in evidence (GRADE)? |
|---|---|---|
Recurrence: acute or recurrent pericarditis at 6, 12, and 18 months | Favours intervention | Moderate |
Time to recurrence (median follow‐up 18 months): acute or recurrent pericarditis | Favours intervention | Moderate |
Symptom relief at 72 hours | Favours intervention | Low |
Adverse effects (median follow‐up 18 months) | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Withdrawal due to adverse effects (median follow‐up 18 months) | Occurs more commonly with colchicine compared with placebo/no colchicine (favours comparison) ᵃ | Moderate |
Note The Cochrane review which underpins this Cochrane Clinical Answer (CCA) notes that while colchicine is effective in reducing the number of further recurrences in people with acute or recurrent pericarditis, data is limited and may not be sufficient enough to recommend colchicine use in the general pericarditis population. It also notes that people with multiple resistant recurrences are not represented in any of the assessed studies. ᵃ The CCA notes that while adverse events were infrequent (<10%) and there was no clear difference between treatment groups, more people withdrew from treatment when taking colchicine than those who did not receive colchicine.
This evidence table is related to the following section/s:
Cochrane Clinical Answers
Cochrane Clinical Answers (CCAs) provide a readable, digestible, clinically focused entry point to rigorous research from Cochrane systematic reviews. They are designed to be actionable and to inform decision making at the point of care and have been added to relevant sections of the main Best Practice text.
- What are the benefits and harms of steroids for people with tuberculous pericarditis?
- What are the benefits and harms of colchicine for people with pericarditis?
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer