Relationship between Metabolic Syndrome and Uric Acid Levels in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Background: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) concentrations and MetS status by sex in patients with FMF. Methods: This cross-sectional study included all attack-free patients previously diagnosed with FMF who referred to the rheumatology clinic for follow-up between October 2018 and January 2019. This study included 154 patients with FMF (66 males and 88 females) and 154 controls (62 males and 92 females) with similar age and sex. Results: MetS was more prevalent among the FMF patients compared to the controls (42.90% [95% CI: 34.9-51.1%) vs. 28.57% [95% CI: 21.6-36.4%); OR = 1.88, 95% Cl: 1.17-3.01, P = 0.009]. In the FMF group, we found higher SUA, number of MetS components, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and insulin compared to the control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.018, P = 0.002, P = 0.008, respectively). The prevalence of MetS (men: P < 0.001, women: P < 0.001) and number of MetS components (men: P < 0.001, women: P < 0.001) were significantly increased with increasing SUA quartiles in both sexes. Conclusion: The prevalence of MetS was higher in patients with FMF, and the prevalence of MetS and number of MetS components were significantly increased with increasing SUA quartiles in both men and women with FMF. SUA levels, as a biochemical marker, could be a strong and independent predictor of MetS in patients with FMF, and may provide substantial help with early diagnosis and management of MetS.