Choroidal Thickness Changes in the Acute Attack Period in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate choroidal thickness changes during acute attacks of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

Methods: Fifty patients with FMF and 50 healthy controls were included. Choroidal thickness of each participant was measured at the foveola and horizontal nasal and temporal quadrants at 500-µm intervals to 1,500 µm from the foveola using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. White blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum levels of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated. The clinical findings (peritonitis, arthritis and pleuritis) were noted.

Results: Choroidal thickness was significantly thicker at all measurement points in FMF patients compared to healthy controls during an acute attack (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations between the choroidal thickness and ESR, fibrinogen and, particularly, CRP levels. Clinical findings did not change the choroidal thickness significantly (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Increased choroidal thickness in the acute phase of FMF is possibly related to the inflammatory edematous changes in the choroid.