Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
Published on: September 22, 2019
Functional gastrointestinal disorders in patients with familial Mediterranean fever
Elif Börekci1, Mehmet Celikbilek2, Müjde Soytürk3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Bozok University Faculty of Medicine, Yozgat, Turkey.
Aim:
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive autoinflammatory disease characterised by recurrent episodes of fever and polyserositis. To date, insufficient data regarding the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD) have been reported in patients with FMF. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of functional gastrointestinal disorders in patients with FMF.
Methods:
This study included 122 patients with FMF and a control group of 122 healthy volunteers who were similar with respect to age and sex. Clinical data were collected and gastrointestinal complaints were evaluated according to the Rome III criteria.
Results:
IBS was found in 18% of the patients and 10.7% of the controls (P > 0.05). Dyspepsia was reported in 37.7% of the patients and 35.2% of the controls. Constipation was significantly higher in the control group (15.6% vs. 7.4%, P = 0.045), whereas diarrhoea was reported significantly more often in patients with FMF (P = 0.001).
Conclusions:
IBS and dyspepsia were not increased in patients with FMF, whereas diarrhoea was more frequently reported.
Insights
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients did not show increased rates of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional dyspepsia (FD). However, FMF patients experienced significantly more diarrhea compared to healthy controls.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease.
- Limited data exists on functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in FMF patients.
- FGIDs like IBS and FD are common globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of FGIDs in FMF patients.
- To compare FGID prevalence in FMF patients versus healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- 122 FMF patients and 122 healthy controls were enrolled.
- Gastrointestinal symptoms were assessed using Rome III criteria.
- Clinical data and demographic information were collected.
Main Results:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) prevalence was similar between FMF patients (18%) and controls (10.7%).
- Functional dyspepsia (FD) rates were comparable: 37.7% in FMF patients and 35.2% in controls.
- Diarrhea was significantly more frequent in FMF patients (P=0.001), while constipation was more common in controls (P=0.045).
Conclusions:
- FMF is not associated with increased prevalence of IBS or FD.
- Diarrhea is a more common gastrointestinal symptom in FMF patients.
- Further research into FMF-associated gastrointestinal manifestations is warranted.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:30Other Disorders of Digestive System
01:20Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders
01:17Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
01:30Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Diagnostic Studies and Management I-Nutritional Therapy
Diagnostic studies
A colonoscopy is the definitive screening test, distinguishing ulcerative colitis from other colon diseases with similar symptoms. During a colonoscopy test, inflamed mucosa with exudate ulcerations can be observed, and biopsies are taken to determine the histologic characteristics of the...
01:26Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction
01:25Inflammatory Bowel Disease III: Crohn's Disease