Functional capacity, strength, and quality of life in children and youth with familial Mediterranean fever.

Purpose: To examine functional capacity and muscle strength in children and youth with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) as compared with controls, and to assess whether these factors influence quality of life (QOL) in FMF.

Methods: A total of 100 subjects with FMF and 55 control subjects (8-18 years old) without known health issues were enrolled in the study. The 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) was used to evaluate functional capacity. Quadriceps strength was measured with a hand-held dynamometer. Quality of life was evaluated with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL 4.0).

Results: Significant differences were found between subjects with FMF and controls in the 6MWT and strength test. PedsQL scores of subjects with FMF were significantly lower than the scores of the controls. The 6MWT and quadriceps strength were weakly correlated with the PedsQL.

Conclusion: Subjects with FMF displayed lower functional capacity and QOL than peers who are healthy. Decreased functional capacity was correlated with decreased QOL in those with FMF.