Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare acute phase reactant (AFR) levels at attack period and attack-free period under colchicine treatment in children with Fa­milial Mediterranean Fever (FMF).
Methods: The diagnosis of FMF was done based on clini­cal criteria and patients were prospectively followed up for average of 1.2 years. Symptom-onset age, age at di­agnosis, clinical symptoms and features of FMF attacks were recorded. MEFV gene mutations were detected by reverse hybridization (strip assay) method. Peripheral blood leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and blood fibrinogen lev­els were measured by standard methods, both at attack period and during attack-free period.
Results: Totally 105 (55 girls, 50 boys) children with FMF were included. The mean age was 8.9±3.2 years, mean symptom onset age was 5.9 years and mean age at di­agnosis was 8.1 years. MEFV gene mutations were as follows: E148Q (29.2%), M694V (24.8%), R761H (15.3%) and V726A (13.1%). The mean AFR values were over normal values in attack period and there was at least one high AFR level in 80.0% of patients. In attack-free period, although the mean values of all AFRs were within normal limits, 31.4% of patients had at least one high AFR level.
Conclusion: Based on these data, one-third of FMF chil­dren had a high AFR level, which may be a marker of sub­clinical inflammation. In children with continuous inflam­mation during attack-free period, a new anti-inflammatory drug additional to colchicine can be considered in order to prevent complications of chronic inflammation.