title: Evaluation of intima media thickness of the common and internal carotid arteries with inflammatory markers in familial Mediterranean fever as possible predictors for atherosclerosis.
abstract: The aim of the present study was to determine whether intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common (CCA) and internal carotid arteries (ICA) was increased due to chronic inflammation occurring in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients compared to healthy controls. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A protein (SAA), lipid profile and homocysteine levels were examined in 70 FMF patients [median age 14 years (range 4-24)] in an attack free period and in 50 healthy controls [median age 14 years (range 4-18)]. All the patients were homozygous or compound heterozygous for MEFV mutations. IMT of both CCA and ICA was evaluated with a high resolution B-mode ultrasonography. ESR, CRP, fibrinogen and SAA levels were significantly higher in FMF patients as compared to healthy controls (P < 0.05). Intima media thickness of the common carotid artery was found to be significantly higher in FMF patients when compared to those in healthy controls [0.37 mm (0.26-0.61) vs. 0.28 mm (0.21-0.35), P < 0.001]. The median ICA-IMT was significantly increased in the patients when compared to those in the controls [0.25 mm (0.18-0.44) vs. 0.22 mm (0.10-0.26), P < 0.001]. A positive correlation between CCA-IMT and SAA levels (r = 0.24, P = 0.04) was found while ICA-IMT positively correlated with ESR (r = 0.31, P = 0.008) and fibrinogen levels (r = 0.30, P = 0.012). Intima media thickness, an early predictor of atherosclerosis, may be associated with subclinical inflammation in children with FMF. Further studies will enlighten whether these patients will be predisposed more to coronary artery disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Nephrology and Rheumatology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yelda
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bilginer
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ozaltin
authors.forename: Ceyla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Basaran
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Duzova
authors.forename: Nesrin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Besbas
authors.forename: Rezan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Topaloglu
authors.forename: Seza
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozen
authors.forename: Aysin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bakkaloglu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein / Q000032:analysis; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D000685:Serum Amyloid A Protein; D002097:C-Reactive Protein