Research Information System
MODERN RHEUMATOLOGY, vol.28, no.6, pp.1016-1020, 2018 (SCI-Expanded)
Objectives: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is characterized by recurrent, self-limited attacks of fever with serositis involving the peritoneum, pleura and joints. Fatigue is a common problem in many pediatric rheumatic diseases; however, has not been evaluated systematically in FMF patients. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate fatigue and its possible allied factors in patients with FMF.Methods: Patients with FMF, aged between 10 and 21 years, were assessed by completed validated fatigue questionnaire (Checklist Individual Strength-20). As a control group, patients with chronic rheumatic diseases and healthy children without any chronic disease were included.Results: The study group comprised 111 patients with FMF, 54 with other chronic rheumatic diseases and 79 healthy subjects. While the CIS-20 total score and subscale scores (including subjective experience of fatigue) were similar between patients with FMF and those with other chronic rheumatic diseases (p>.05); both groups had significantly higher scores when compared with healthy subjects (p<.05). FMF patients with musculoskeletal complaints had significantly higher scores of subjective experiences of fatigue when compared to those without those complaints.Conclusions: Fatigue is a common but unrecognized complaint in patients with FMF. Familial Mediterranean fever seems to be a chronic disease with inter attack ongoing complaints.