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Is familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) common in patients with negative appendectomy?

Bunyamin Kisacik1, Ilhan Karabicak, Mehmet Fatih Erol

  • 1Department of Rheumatology, University of Gaziantep , 27100 Şahinbey, Gaziantep, Turkey. bunyamin_k@hotmail.com

Modern Rheumatology
|July 4, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) was found in 7.7% of patients with negative appendectomy. This suggests that patients undergoing negative appendectomy should be evaluated for FMF.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology and Hepatology
  • Rheumatology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal-recessive autoinflammatory disease causing recurrent fever and serositis.
  • Differentiating FMF attacks from acute abdomen conditions, like acute appendicitis, poses diagnostic challenges.
  • Acute appendicitis is a frequent cause of acute abdominal pain necessitating surgical intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in patients who underwent surgery for suspected acute appendicitis but were found to have a negative appendectomy.
  • To highlight the importance of considering FMF in the differential diagnosis of patients with negative appendectomy findings.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 278 patients operated for suspected acute appendicitis was retrospectively analyzed.
  • Histopathological examination confirmed acute appendicitis in 250 patients.
  • The remaining 28 patients with negative appendectomy results were subsequently evaluated by a rheumatologist for FMF.

Main Results:

  • A negative appendectomy rate of 10.1% was observed in 28 patients (5 males, 23 females; mean age 25.3 years).
  • Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) was diagnosed in 2 of these 28 patients (7.7%).

Conclusions:

  • Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is present in 7.7% of patients with negative appendectomies.
  • The study recommends evaluating patients with negative appendectomy for FMF.
  • Larger studies are required to establish the precise prevalence of FMF in this patient group.

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