The Evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Objectives: It?s shown that the frequencies of some inflammatory disease and fibromiyalgia are increased and the plasma serotonin levels are low in Familial Mediterrenean Fever. Like this, irritabl bowel disease may be associated with fibromiyalgia and serotonin metabolism changes play a role in the pathogenes of İBD and dyspepsia. Also it?s shown that histological changes seen in gastric antral biopsies following colchicine therapy and colchicine stimulates intestinal motility. Newertheless, the data about the frequency of gastrointestinal disease like İBS, dyspepsia and diarhea is not available. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalance of gastrointestinal system diseases like IBS, dyspepsia, constipation and diarrhea in FMF patientsMaterials: 200 FMF patients were selected by random sampling and 149 patients reached by phone has been invited to the hospital in order to talk face to face.27 of them refusing the investigation, using drugs, haveing a surgery and diseases affecting gastrointestinal symtomes were excluded. Finally 122 FMF patients (Age: 40,18±11,85; M/F: 63/59) and 122 healty control (Age: 37,46±13,34; M/F: 50/72) who were similar in age and sex included to the study. 31 item-Questionnaire that includes Roma III criteria was used in order to collect datas.Results: The prevalance of İBS and dyspepsia were found %18 and %37,7 in FMF patients, %10,7 and %35,2 in controls. There was no statistical difference between groups. Also, there was no difference in term of gastroesophageal reflux disease (%13,4 vs %16,4).But, the use of PPI /H2RB in the patient group (%23,8 vs. %11,5) were significantly higher than controls(p: 0,012) When bowel habits were eveluated, the prevalance of constipation (%7,4 vs %15,6, p: 0,045) in control group and the prevalance of diarhea (%12,3 vs %0, p: 0,001) in FMF group were higher statistically.Discussion: The prevalance of İBD, dyspepsia and gastresophageal reflux disease in FMF patients were similar to control group?s and normal population?s. Because of the use of PPI/H2RB were higher in patients,it was suggest that the prevalance of dyspepsia and GERD in FMF patients may be higher than expected. To determine whether the prevalance of digestive system diseases in FMF patients are higher than healty controls, larger case series are needed.