OBJECTIVE: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is characterized by recurrent episodes of peritonitis. A controversy exists as to whether intestinal obstruction due to peritoneal adhesions is more common among FMF patients compared with healthy controls. The aim of the study was to estimate the rate of spontaneous or postsurgical small-bowel obstruction (SBO) in FMF patients. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 560 FMF patients followed in our clinic for the occurrence of spontaneous SBO. We also assessed the occurrence of postappendectomy intestinal obstruction among 89 FMF patients compared with 417 individuals without FMF who underwent an appendectomy without other abdominal surgery in the same medical center. RESULTS: Ten of 471 FMF patients (2.1%) developed spontaneous SBO, 8 of whom required laparotomy and adhesiolysis. Six of 89 FMF patients (6.7%) who underwent appendectomy developed SBO. None of the non-FMF patients developed SBO. CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective study showed that FMF patients are at a higher risk than healthy individuals for developing SBO either spontaneously or as a postsurgical complication. Physicians should be alert to this possible complication when FMF patients arrive at the emergency room.
OBJECTIVE:Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is characterized by recurrent episodes of peritonitis. A controversy exists as to whether intestinal obstruction due to peritoneal adhesions is more common among FMFpatients compared with healthy controls. The aim of the study was to estimate the rate of spontaneous or postsurgical small-bowel obstruction (SBO) in FMFpatients. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 560 FMFpatients followed in our clinic for the occurrence of spontaneous SBO. We also assessed the occurrence of postappendectomy intestinal obstruction among 89 FMFpatients compared with 417 individuals without FMF who underwent an appendectomy without other abdominal surgery in the same medical center. RESULTS: Ten of 471 FMFpatients (2.1%) developed spontaneous SBO, 8 of whom required laparotomy and adhesiolysis. Six of 89 FMFpatients (6.7%) who underwent appendectomy developed SBO. None of the non-FMFpatients developed SBO. CONCLUSIONS: Our retrospective study showed that FMFpatients are at a higher risk than healthy individuals for developing SBO either spontaneously or as a postsurgical complication. Physicians should be alert to this possible complication when FMFpatients arrive at the emergency room.
Authors: Carol M Artlett; Sihem Sassi-Gaha; Jennifer L Hope; Carol A Feghali-Bostwick; Peter D Katsikis Journal: Arthritis Res Ther Date: 2017-06-17 Impact factor: 5.156