Colchicine myoneuropathy in chronic renal failure patients with gout

I. Chun Lai, Chung Yi Cheng, Hsi Hsien Chen, Wei Yu Chen, Pei-Yuan Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Colchicine myoneuropathy is a rare and often underdiagnosed disease. It often presents as painless subacute muscle weakness. We present a case of painful colchicine myoneuropathy in a 76-year-old man with chronic renal failure and gout. Published work about clinical presentations of colchicine myoneuropathy in gouty arthritis patients are reviewed. During the previous year, the patient had a drug regimen of colchicine 0.5 mg three times per day for a 3 day course each month. He developed bilateral lower leg weakness and severe myalgia. His serum creatinine level was 680.7 μmol/L and creatinine kinase was 959 IU/L on admission. Laboratory findings included decreasing amplitude of motor and sensory nerve conduction velocity and an electromyogram showed small amplitude, short duration polyphasic waves over the right biceps. A muscle biopsy disclosed vacuolar changes in the cytoplasm. These results all supported a diagnosis of colchicine myoneuropathy. After cessation of colchicine, the creatinine kinase level decreased approximately 50% in 6 days, myalgia subsided and his muscle weakness improved gradually over the next 2 weeks.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)147-150
Number of pages4
JournalNephrology
Volume11
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2006

Keywords

  • Chronic renal failure
  • Colchicine myoneuropathy
  • Gout

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nephrology

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