title: Increased serum concentrations of homocysteine and lipoprotein (a) in familial Mediterranean fever.
abstract: Serum homocysteine, folic acid, lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)), fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations and erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) were measured in 52 patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) during attack-free periods and in 30 healthy control subjects. Serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in the FMF patients (median 17.8 microg/dl; range 5.6-80.8) than in controls (median 11.7; range 5.6-42.2; p = 0.013). Serum homocysteine levels were elevated above the upper reference limit (15 microg/dl) in 56% of the FMF patients compared to 27% of the controls (p = 0.011). Serum Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in the FMF patients (median 39.3 mg/dl; range 6.6-124.5) than in controls (median 27.2; range 11.1-78.1; p = 0.035). Serum Lp(a) levels were elevated above the upper reference limit (30 mg/dl) in 71% of the FMF patients compared to 47% of the controls (p = 0.028). The ESR, fibrinogen, CRP, and folic acid levels were similar in both groups. In conclusion, serum homocysteine and Lp(a) concentrations are often increased in FMF patients during attack-free periods. The elevated homocysteine and Lp(a) levels, which are markers of sub-clinical inflammation, may be mediators of atherosclerotic disease in FMF patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, 25240 Erzurum, Turkey. skaratay73@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Saliha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karatay
authors.forename: Kadir
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uyanik
authors.forename: Hulya
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Uzkeser
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kiziltunc
authors.forename: Mahir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ugur
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baygutalp
authors.forename: Hamit
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Acemoglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001799:Blood Sedimentation; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005340:Fibrinogen / Q000378:metabolism; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D017270:Lipoprotein(a) / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D017270:Lipoprotein(a); D006710:Homocysteine; D005340:Fibrinogen; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D005492:Folic Acid