Evaluation of familial Mediterranean fever patients concomitant with juvenile spondyloarthropathy

Objectives Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) may present with various concomitant diseases. This study aims to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with FMF with Juvenile Spondyloarthropathy (jSpA). Method Thirty-two patients diagnosed with FMF/jSpA, sixty-four with FMF, and fifty-four with jSpA were included in this retrospective study. Three patient groups were compared in terms of clinical and laboratory features. Results The mean ages of patients in the FMF/jSpA, FMF and jSpA groups were 15.75(11.50-19.83), 15,41(6.83-21.50), and 16(9-22) years, respectively. Chronic arthritis (OR: 0.11,p = .049), erythrocyte sedimentation rate values (OR:1.07,p = .011), and C-reactive protein values (OR:1,08,p: .039) of the patients in remission period were found higher, the international severity scores for FMF (ISSF) before and after colchicine treatment (OR: 1.16,p: .021, OR: 2,21,p: .012) were higher in the FMF/jSpA group compared to FMF. Plantar fasciitis was more common and HLA-B27 positivity rate was lower in the FMF/jSpA group (OR:0.08,p = .024), (OR:4.71,p = .002) compared to jSpA. FMF/jSpA patients were divided as previous diagnosed FMF and jSpA.The diagnosis of jSpA was at a younger age(p = .002), Juvenile arthritis damage index-articular(p = 0.022) and extraarticular(p = .026), and the rate of biologic drug usage(p = .015) were higher in the previous jSpA group. The number of FMF attacks before colchicine was lower in the previous jSpA group(p = .02). Conclusion Our findings suggest that both classical FMF and jSpA findings were lower in patients with FMF/jSpA. Patients who were diagnosed with jSpA at an early age and who had enthesitis and plantar fasciitis should also be evaluated in terms of FMF.

Automated summary

The study aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) with Juvenile Spondyloarthropathy (jSpA). Patients with FMF/jSpA showed higher levels of chronic arthritis, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein during remission compared to FMF alone. Plantar fasciitis was more common in FMF/jSpA patients, while HLA-B27 positivity was lower.