Background:Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by multisystem inflammatory lesions affecting many organ systems in the body. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease of chronic autoimmune inflammation characterized by frequently relapsing self-limiting fever and inflammation that may be localized in peritoneum, pleura, joint or skin.1Previous studies have described the similarity of clinical symptoms of FMF among SLE patients. However, the literature on this topic is inconsistent and based mostly on case reports.2-4Objectives:To examine the proportions of coexistence of FMF among SLE patients compared to the general population. We hypothesized that the proportion of FMF among SLE patients is higher than the general population.Methods:This cross-sectional study used the Clalit Health Services database, the largest Health Maintenance Organization in Israel, serving 4,400,000 members. SLE patients were compared to age- and sex-matched controls. Chi- was used for univariate analysis.Results:The study included4886 SLEpatients and 24430 age- and sex-matched controls. The SLE group had a significantly higher proportion of FMF patients compared to non-SLE controls (0.68% and 0.21% respectively; p < 0.001).Table 1. All study populationTable 1.SLE patients and matched controls basic characteristicsNo SLESLEp.overallN=24430N=4886Age51.2±16.551.2±16.51.000Gender: Female20100 (82.3%)4020 (82.3%)1.000FMF52 (0.21%)33 (0.68%)<0.001Table 2. StratificationTable 2.comparison of FMF patients with and without SLEFMF without SLEFMF with SLEp.overallN=52N=33Age44.6±13.750.5±17.70.106Gender: Female45 (86.5%)26 (78.8%)0.523Conclusion:FMF was found to be more common amongst SLE patients compared to matched controls.The current study results suggest that the occurrence of SLE turn patients with an appropriate genetic and environmental setting to develop also FMF. This cross-sectional study sheds light on the coexistence of these two diseases, autoimmune and autoinflammatory.References:[1]Kucuk A, Gezer IA, Ucar R, Karahan AY. Familial mediterranean fever.Acta Medica (Hradec Kralove). 2014;57(3):97-104.[2]Lidar M, Zandman-Goddard G, Shinar Y, Zaks N, Livneh A, Langevitz P. SLE and FMF: A possible negative association between the two disease entities–report of four cases and review of the literature.Lupus. 2008;17(7):663-669.[3]Erten S, Taskaldiran I, Yakut ZI. Are systemic lupus erythematosus patients carrying MEFV gene less prone to renal involvement? report of three cases and review of the literature.Ren Fail. 2013;35(7):1013-1016.[4]Shinar Y, Kosach E, Langevitz P, et al. Familial mediterranean Fever gene (MEFV) mutations as a modifier of systemic lupus erythematosus.Lupus. 2012;21(9):993-998.Disclosure of Interests: :None declared
Autoimmune gastrointestinal complications in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: case series and literature review