الفهرس | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract Background: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an auto inflammatory disease, which is suggested to be associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness was used in prediction of atherosclerotic risk in various conditions. The aim of our study was to evaluate EAT thickness of FMF children and to be compared with its level in healthy controls. Methods: Thirty children with FMF and aged between 8-16 years and thirty age-and sex-matched children control group) were included in the study. Different disease characteristics, disease severity, and MEFV gene mutations were recorded. EAT thicknesses was measured by echocardiography using the VIVID 5-ECHO machine probe size number 3. Results: EAT in patients was significantly greater than that of controls (5.21±2.3 mm vs. 2.81±2.96 mm, p=0.001) and was correlated with serum cholesterol level and platelets count (p-value 0.047 and 0.018 respectively). Conclusion: Epicardial adipose tissue thickness was greater in children with FMF than controls. These findings may indicate an increased risk of atherosclerosis in FMF patients |