Comparison of familial Mediterranean fever and juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients according to family origin.

Aim: Familial Mediterranean fever is an inherited condition that is more prevalent in some regions of Turkey. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common chronic arthritis of childhood. There is lack of studies on the frequency of mentioned conditions across different regions of Turkey. We aimed to compare the Familial Mediterranean fever and juvenile idiopathic arthritis patients according to their family origin.

Material And Methods: Patients with diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever and juvenile idiopathic arthritis followed up at the Division of Pediatric Rheumatology were assessed. Data regarding the family origin of patients were noted from their medical records. Both groups were compared according to their origins.

Results: A total of 704 patients with Familial Mediterranean fever, 204 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis were enrolled. The main age of the patients at the study time was 12.3±4.4 years and 12.1±4.8 years, respectively. The frequency of familial Mediterranean fever was significantly higher in subjects with the origin of Black Sea and Central Anatolia regions (z score 2.69, and 3.69, respectively). Juvenile idiopathic arthritis was significantly more common in subjects from Marmara and Southeastern Anatolia regions (z score -4.11 and -2.54, respectively).

Conclusion: The familial Mediterranean fever is more common among subjects from the Black Sea and Central Anatolia regions of Turkey, especially Kastamonu, Sivas and Tokat provinces. Whereas, patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis more commonly originate from Marmara and Southeastern Anatolia regions of Turkey.