The evaluation of relationship between the GGT levels and arterial stiffness with pulse wave velocity in patients with Familial Mediterranean

Objectives: Pulse wave velocity (PWV), is a noninvasive ultrasound technique used to evaluate the arterial elasticity, which is an early indicator of atherosclerosis. Lately, GGT is being thought as a determiner of arterial stiffness. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the GGT levels and arterial stiffness with pulse wave velocity in patients with Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).Materials And Methods: The study was performed on 100 patients (60 patients with FMF and 40 healty volunteers) . The mean age was 30,6± 9,3. Of the 43 patients were male and the 57 were female. Plasma levels of GGT, transaminase, fasting glycose, total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, CBC, proteinuria, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CRP, fibrinogen were estimated from all patients. Arterial stiffness was assessed by PWV measurement. Genetic analysis,the time and dosage of colchicine treatment and the duration of FMF.Results: Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), CRP, fibrinogen was significantly increased in patients with FMF (p<0,001) total cholesterol and fractions were increased in control group and triglycerides were increased in patients with FMF. There were no differences in GGT, transaminase, fasting glycose. Proteinuria was increased in patients with FMF. PWV was significantly increased in patients with FMF compared with the control group (p<0,001). PWV was positively correlated with age, FMF disease, fasting glycose, AST. There were no relationship between the GGT levels and arterial pulse wave velocity. But, positively correlation was established between GGT and FMF disease, the duration of FMF, male gender, BMI, CRP, ALT, AST, fasting glycose, creatinin, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.Conclusion: FMF is a chronic inflammatory disease and early ischemic heart diseasecan occur via inflammation. In this study, increased PWV was determined in patients with FMF and established that, it can be related to arterial stiffness. But there were no differences between GGT and PWV. These patients can be followed closely with 43PWV, an early indicater of atherosclerosis. So, the cardiovasculer risk can be determined or coronary artery disease can be diagnosed in early stages of the disease and it can be possible to take necessary precautions.