Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Acta Medica Mediterranea, cilt.30, sa.6, ss.1349-1353, 2014 (SCI-Expanded)
Introduction: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disorder which is characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation including peritonitis, synovitis and pleuritis accompanied by pain.The present study was conducted with the aim to determine the triggering factors of FMF and investigate whether there are any differences between two regions with different geographical characteristics with respect to triggers of attacks in FMF patients admitting to the emergency room with an episode of abdominal pain. Materials and methods: The study was planned as a prospective, two-site study to be conducted in Kayseri and Hatay. Triggers of attacks were investigated for patients previously diagnosed with FMF who admitted to the emergency room with an episode of abdominal pain. Results: A total of 75 patients were enrolled in the study including 40 in Kayseri group and 35 in Hatay group. Kayseri group had a predominance of female patients and Hatay a predominance of male patients. Emotional stress, excessive physical activity, menstruation and exposure to cold were found to trigger FMF-associated abdominal pain episodes in Kayseri group, whereas emotional stress and excessive physical activity were predominant triggers of attacks in Hatay group. Conclusion: FMF attacks were found to be associated with emotional stress and excessive physical activity in both study groups. Excessive physical activity, menstruation and exposure to cold were significantly more likely to trigger attacks in Kayseri group compared to Hatay group.