Neurological Face of Familial Mediterranean Fever

Abstract

Objective: Familial Mediterranean fever is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent attacks in the form of fever and inflammation of serous membranes. We aimed to search for neurological signs and symptoms of children with familial Mediterranean fever.

Materials and methods: Medical records database from 2010 to 2020 was screened retrospectively. In total, 625 children with familial Mediterranean fever were included in the study. Neurological symptoms and associated factors were searched.

Results: The mean age at onset of familial Mediterranean fever symptoms and time to diagnosis was calculated as 5.12 ± 3.51 years and 7.27 ± 3.9 years, respectively. The neurological symptoms were present in 142 (23.5%) patients. Headache was the most common symptom. During follow-up, different neurologic diseases were diagnosed in 40 familial Mediterranean fever patients and epilepsy was the most frequent disease. The coexistent disease was present in 49.9% of children with familial Mediterranean fever. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis was found to be a risk factor for the neurologic symptom (P < .05). The frequency of neurological symptoms was higher in patients with E148Q mutation (P < .012).

Conclusion: The results of the present study revealed that patients with familial Mediterranean fever can present with various central nervous system manifestations. A multidisciplinary approach must be considered in the treatment of these children.