Evaluation of nailfold capillaries in familial Mediterranean fever patients

Aytekin S., Aydın F., Akpolat T., Şentürk N., Turanli A. Y.

CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY, vol.30, no.2, pp.255-257, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 30 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10067-010-1609-x
  • Journal Name: CLINICAL RHEUMATOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.255-257
  • Keywords: Capillaroscopy, Familial Mediterranean fever, Nailfold, POLYARTERITIS-NODOSA, FMF
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by recurrent inflammatory febrile attacks, abdominal, chest or joint pain, myalgia, and erysipelas-like skin lesions. Several types of vasculitis are associated with FMF such as polyarteritis nodosa and Henoch-Schonlein purpura. We aimed to determine microvascular abnormalities in FMF patients via nailfold capillaroscopy using a dermoscope. Thirty-one FMF patients were assessed; capillary enlargement, tortuosity, avascular areas and microhemmoraghes were investigated. Capillary enlargement was found in five patients and microhemorrhages in one patient. Our study supports that nailfold capillary abnormalities, which are nonspecific, can be seen in FMF patients, but more studies are needed to clarify the importance of these findings.