QT dispersion in uncomplicated familial Mediterranean fever.

The aim of the study was to further evaluate repolarization dispersion in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Findings on 12-lead electrocardiography were compared with 32 patients with uncomplicated FMF and age- and sex-matched control subjects. All procedures followed stringent standards. Repolarization and dispersion parameters were computed with designated computer software, and results of the five beats were subsequently averaged. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in average QT and average corrected QT interval length, average QT interval dispersion, average QT corrected dispersion, or QT dispersion ratio. During 6 months of follow-up, no cases of sudden death or arrhythmia were documented in either group. Patients with FMF who are continuously treated with low-dose colchicine and have not developed amyloidosis seem to have QT dispersion parameters similar to those of healthy subjects and therefore apparently have no increased risk of adverse cardiac events associated with abnormal repolarization.