Fatma Aydin1, Z Birsin Özçakar2, Nilgün Çakar2, Elif Çelikel1, Nermin Uncu3, Banu Çelikel Acar4, Fatoş Yalçinkaya2. 1. From the Divisions of Pediatric Rheumatology and. 2. Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Ankara University School of Medicine. 3. Department of Pediatric Rheumatology, Ankara Child Health and Hematology-Oncology Education and Research Hospital, Ankara. 4. Division of Pediatric Rheumatology & Nephrology, Department of Pediatrics, Kirikkale University School of Medicine, Kirikkale, Turkey.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVE: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease, characterized by recurrent, self-limited attacks of fever with serositis. Various diseases were reported to be associated with FMF. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and characteristics of sacroiliitis in children with FMF. METHODS: Files of FMF patients who had been seen in 2 reference hospitals in Ankara were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with FMF and concomitant sacroiliitis were included to the study. All patients had magnetic resonance imaging evidence of sacroiliitis. RESULTS: Among 650 FMF patients, 17 (11 females, 6 males; mean age, 13.32 ± 4.24 years) (2.6%) of them were found to have sacroiliitis. Familial Mediterranean fever diagnosis was done prior to sacroiliitis diagnosis in 11 patients (65%) and concurrently or afterward in 6 patients (35%). Ten patients had isolated sacroiliitis, and 7 had associated diseases (5 enthesitis-related arthritis, 1 psoriatic arthritis, and 1 ulcerative colitis). Arthritis (59%), arthralgia (77%), leg pain (71%), heel pain (41%), and enthesitis (29%) were common complaints. Sacroiliac tenderness was detected in 77%, and M694V mutation in almost 90% of the patients. All patients received colchicine therapy. Additionally, 14 of them were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 10 were on sulfasalazine treatment, and 7 of them were on biological agents. CONCLUSIONS: Sacroiliitis can be seen in patients with FMF during childhood, and M694V mutation seems to be a susceptibility factor for its development. Inflammatory low-back pain and leg and heel pain could suggest sacroiliitis.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVE:Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease, characterized by recurrent, self-limited attacks of fever with serositis. Various diseases were reported to be associated with FMF. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and characteristics of sacroiliitis in children with FMF. METHODS: Files of FMFpatients who had been seen in 2 reference hospitals in Ankara were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with FMF and concomitant sacroiliitis were included to the study. All patients had magnetic resonance imaging evidence of sacroiliitis. RESULTS: Among 650 FMFpatients, 17 (11 females, 6 males; mean age, 13.32 ± 4.24 years) (2.6%) of them were found to have sacroiliitis. Familial Mediterranean fever diagnosis was done prior to sacroiliitis diagnosis in 11 patients (65%) and concurrently or afterward in 6 patients (35%). Ten patients had isolated sacroiliitis, and 7 had associated diseases (5 enthesitis-related arthritis, 1 psoriatic arthritis, and 1 ulcerative colitis). Arthritis (59%), arthralgia (77%), leg pain (71%), heel pain (41%), and enthesitis (29%) were common complaints. Sacroiliac tenderness was detected in 77%, and M694V mutation in almost 90% of the patients. All patients received colchicine therapy. Additionally, 14 of them were treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 10 were on sulfasalazine treatment, and 7 of them were on biological agents. CONCLUSIONS:Sacroiliitis can be seen in patients with FMF during childhood, and M694V mutation seems to be a susceptibility factor for its development. Inflammatory low-back pain and leg and heel pain could suggest sacroiliitis.