Research Information System
Journal of Turkish Society For Rheumatology, vol.16, no.1, pp.7-14, 2024 (Scopus, TRDizin)
Objective: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) presents with arthritis attacks, enthesitis, and synovitis in the lower extremities which suggests that balance disorders may develop. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the dynamic and static balance in FMF patients. Methods: This study was a prospective case-control study. The study included FMF patients who met the modified Tel Hashomer criteria as well as healthy participants. FMF patients’ demographics, clinical features, International Severity Scoring System and Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis score were assessed. The Berg Balance scale (BBS), Functional Reach test (FRT), timed up and go (TUG), and single leg stance (SLS) tests were used to assess balance performance. Results: The patient group consisted of 94 FMF patients (62.8% females), and the control group consisted of 90 healthy individuals (52.7% females). When the FRT, BBS, TUG, and SLS scores of the patient and control groups were compared, the patient group performed statistically worse in all scores. High risk of fall was found to be associated with longer disease duration and older age (p<0.001 and p<0.001). Visual analog scale scores during the attack were higher in patients at risk of falling, and arthralgia and amyloidosis were also more common. (p=0.032, p=0.002, and p=0.001, respectively). Conclusion: The study found that compared to healthy individuals, FMF patients exhibited worse dynamic and static balance. The existence of amyloidosis and enthesitis, together with a longer and more severe illness, could all be factors in balance loss.