Familial Mediterranean fever gene mutations in the inner northern region of Turkey and genotype-phenotype correlation in children

Aim: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterised by recurrent episodes of fever, polyserositis and rash. The aim of this study was to determine the most common mutations and clinical features, and their relationships. Methods: The medical records of 78 patients were evaluated retrospectively. All of the patients had been diagnosed with FMF according to Tel Hashomer criteria between January 2005 and May 2008 in general paediatric clinics of the School of Medicine at Gaziosmanpasa University. Twelve mutations were detected in the 78 patients by polymerase chain reaction-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The patients were classified into three groups according to allele status. Results: The most prominent clinical symptoms were abdominal pain (95%), fever (90%), arthritis (33%) and pleuritis (31%). Seventeen different genotypes were identified. The mutations were homozygous in 25 (32%) patients, compound heterozygous in 28 (36%) patients and heterozygous in 22 (28%) patients. No mutation was detected in three (4%) patients. The most frequent mutations were M694V (55%), M680I (16%), E148Q (10%) and P369S (4%). The mean symptom severity score was highest in the homozygous group, and high levels of C-reactive protein were also detected in this group. Conclusions: In addition to clinical criteria, molecular studies for detecting disease-causing mutations are needed to establish the diagnosis of FMF. FMF patients who were homozygous for MEFV gene mutations had a higher symptom severity score and higher incidence of appendectomy. The broad spectrum of mutations may reflect intercultural interactions of ethnic groups in Anatolia. Nation-wide studies may help to determine the relationships among demographic, clinical and genetic features of FMF.