Evaluation of biological treatment in pediatric patients with familial Mediterranean fever: a retrospective study of 832 patients.

OBJECTIVE

Biologic agents have been used in colchicine-resistant familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients and in patients with comorbidities including juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The main aim of our study was to evaluate the use of biological agents in pediatric patients with FMF and to assess the factors influencing the initiation of biological treatment.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Our study included 832 pediatric FMF patients, who were followed up at Ankara Etlik City Hospital. Demographic data, clinical and laboratory characteristics, genetic results, treatments and treatment responses of the patients were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Of the patients enrolled in the study, 107 (12.9%) had received biological treatment. The reduction in attack frequency and changes in laboratory parameters including white blood cell count, absolute neutrophil count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, hemoglobin, platelet count, mean platelet volume, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and serum amyloid A levels were statistically significant in patients receiving (anti-interleukin-1) treatment.

CONCLUSION

The initiation of biological treatment was higher in patients with younger symptom onset, in patients with JIA comorbidity, and in patients with homozygous exon 10 or compound heterozygous exon 10 mutation. Gender, delay in diagnosis, comorbidities other than JIA, family history of FMF, amyloidosis or chronic kidney disease did not increase the initiation of biological treatment.