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Oro-dental features in Egyptian patients with familial mediterranean fever
Maha Abouzaid1, Nehal Hassib1, Khaled Hamed2
1Oro-dental Genetics department, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt.
Introduction:
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an episodic inflammatory disease that is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. It is primarily featured by fever, pain in joints, chest, and abdomen due to Serositis.
Aim:
This study delineated the oro-facial structures presented associated with FMF, as well as, the determination of the potential influences of the long-term inflammatory process of FMF on several oral structures.
Methods:
Fifty eight Egyptian FMF patients were examined to define different oro-facial structures. Serum amyloid A (SAA) was requested for the selected patients, MEFV gene mutation was also investigated.
Results:
The clinical examination revealed peritonitis in 79%, fever in 63.7%, and arthritis in 55% of FMF patients examined, while, oral features as high arched palate, enamel defect, dental malocclusion, and macroglossia in 32%, 27.5%. 26%, and 13.5%, respectively. The previous symptoms might be attributed to the pathology of the disease. Macroglossia when tested versus SAA levels, a highly significant difference was detected. The ROC curve when examining the SAA value to assess macroglossia, displayed reasonable sensitivity and specificity values of, 87.5% and 77.8%, respectively.
Conclusion:
The noticed oro-dental in FMF patients might be influenced by the chronic inflammatory process.
Insights
Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) can affect oral health, leading to issues like high arched palate and enamel defects. Chronic inflammation from FMF may influence these oro-dental manifestations.
Area of Science:
- Genetics and Immunology
- Oral Medicine
- Systemic Inflammatory Diseases
Background:
- Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive inflammatory disorder.
- FMF is characterized by episodic fever, serositis, and abdominal/joint pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify oro-facial structures associated with FMF.
- To investigate the impact of chronic FMF inflammation on oral structures.
Main Methods:
- Examined 58 Egyptian FMF patients for oro-facial features.
- Assessed Serum Amyloid A (SAA) levels and investigated MEFV gene mutations.
Main Results:
- Observed high arched palate (32%), enamel defects (27.5%), malocclusion (26%), and macroglossia (13.5%) in FMF patients.
- Found a significant correlation between macroglossia and SAA levels.
- ROC curve analysis showed 87.5% sensitivity and 77.8% specificity for SAA in assessing macroglossia.
Conclusions:
- Oro-dental findings in FMF patients may result from the chronic inflammatory process.
- SAA levels show potential as a biomarker for macroglossia in FMF.
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