Esophageal motor function in Familial Mediterranean Fever: a prospective evaluation of motility in 31 patients.
BACKGROUND
The aims of this study were to evaluate esophageal motor function in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) who had upper gastrointestinal symptoms and to compare esophageal motor function between FMF patients who developed amyloidosis and patients without amyloidosis.


METHODS
31 FMF patients with dyspeptic symptoms and 31 healthy age-matched individuals were included in the study. Endoscopic examination and esophageal motility testing were performed.


RESULTS
Esophageal motor abnormalities were detected in 25.8% (8/31) of these patients [incomplete Lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation: n=4, esophageal hypomotility: n=2, and hypotensive LES: n=2]. Median LES relaxation (%) (min-max) was significantly lower in patients with FMF compared to control group 94% (54-100) vs. 98% (80-100), p=0.019 respectively). However, mean LES pressure (mmHg) (19.5+/-8.9 vs. 19.7+/-5.6, p=0.813), duration of LES relaxation (s) (7.9+/-1.7 vs. 8.7+/-1.7, p=0.068), contraction amplitude of esophageal body (mmHg) (60.4+/-23.3 vs. 58.2+/-19.7, p=0.691) and median (min-max) peak velocity (s) [3.1(-1.43-50.3) vs. 3.1 (0.9-8.7), p=0.435] were similar in patients with FMF compared to control group. There were no significant differences with regard to LES pressure, LES relaxation, LES relaxation duration, contraction amplitude (mmHg) and peak velocity (sc) among patients with FMF and amyloidosis, amyloidosis negative FMF patients and healthy controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Abnormal esophageal manometric findings can be observed at least in a subgroup of patients with FMF regardless of amyloid status. Investigation of esophageal motor function in patients with FMF who exhibit unexplained upper gastrointestinal symptoms between attacks may be a helpful tool in order to delineate esophageal motor dysfunction.
Bektaş
Mehmet
M
Ankara University Medical School, Ibni Sina Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology, 06100 Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey.
Doğanay
Beyza
B
Alkan
Murat
M
Ustun
Yusuf
Y
Soykan
Irfan
I
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015154:Esophageal Motility Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D049630:Esophageal Sphincter, Lower / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult