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Pulse-Wave Velocity, Flow-Mediated Dilation, and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness to Assess Cardiovascular Risk in Population with Metabolic Syndrome
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Intima-media thickening in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Serdal Ugurlu1, Emire Seyahi, Firat Cetinkaya

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Faculty of Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey.

Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
|May 30, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) show increased intima-media thickness (IMT) but not atherosclerotic plaques. Further research is needed to understand the significance of elevated IMT in FMF patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Rheumatology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a genetic autoinflammatory disease.
  • Subclinical atherosclerosis assessment is crucial for cardiovascular risk stratification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques and intima-media thickness (IMT) in FMF patients.
  • To compare atherosclerosis markers between FMF patients, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients, and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

  • 100 FMF patients, 94 SLE patients, and 103 healthy controls were included.
  • Carotid (C-IMT) and femoral artery intima-media thickness (F-IMT) were measured using B-mode ultrasonography.
  • Atherosclerotic plaques and traditional risk factors were assessed.

Main Results:

  • Both FMF and SLE patients exhibited significantly higher C-IMT and F-IMT compared to controls, even after risk factor adjustment.
  • A higher frequency of atherosclerotic plaques was observed in SLE patients but not in FMF patients.
  • In FMF, plaque presence was linked to diabetes mellitus; IMT correlated with age, BMI, and fasting glucose.

Conclusions:

  • Increased atherosclerosis, defined by plaque presence, was not found in FMF patients.
  • The clinical significance of elevated C-IMT and F-IMT in FMF patients requires further investigation.

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