Determination of the relationship between serum sTREM-1/sTREM-2 levels and inflammation i̇n patients with familial mediterranean fever

Background and Aim: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent episodes of fever accompanied by peritonitis, pleuritis, arthritis or erysipelas-like erythema. In this study, we aimed to measure the levels of sTREM-1, sTREM-2, TNF-α and IL-1β in the serum of relapse and remission patients who were clinically diagnosed with FMF and to examine their relationship with inflammation. Methods: In our study, a total of 57 patients, 27 patients with attacks and 30 patients in remission, who applied to the rheumatology outpatient clinic with the diagnosis of FMF, and 30 healthy controls equal in age and gender were included in the study. Collected biochemistry blood was centrifuged at 1500 x g and serum was separated. Afterwards, CRP levels of the samples taken on the working day were studied by nephelometric method, BUN, creatinine, glucose, albumin tests, ALT, AST and creatine kinase activity levels were studied by spectrophotometric method, and ferritin levels were studied by electrochemoluminescence method in the biochemistry laboratory. In addition, whole blood was taken from the patients in hemogram tubes with EDTA and complete blood count was performed on the same day in the autoanalyzer. Fibrinogen and sedimentation levels were measured on the same day in autoanalyzers in the hematology laboratory. Serum sTREM-1, sTREM-2, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were studied by ELISA method. Results: Serum sTREM-1 and IL-1β levels were found to be significantly higher in the FMF attack patient group than in the control and remission groups (p<0.001). There was no difference between the groups in sTREM-2 and TNF-α levels. While the sedimentation attack group was found to be significantly higher only in the control group (p=0.016), fibrinogen (p<0.001) and ferritin (p=0.004) levels were found to be significantly higher in the FMF attack group compared to the control and remission groups. CRP was significantly different between all three groups (p<0.001). In addition, a weak but significant correlation was found between sTREM-1 and IL-1β levels and CRP, sedimentation and phyrinogen levels (r=0.291 p=0.05,r=0.370 p<0.001 r=0.465 p<0,001 ). Conclusion: Serum sTREM-1 levels are associated with inflammation in FMF patients and may be involved in the pathogenesis of FMF. Keywords: Familial Mediterranean Fever, inflammation, sTREM-1, sTREM-2