Comparing D-dimer status in children with familial Mediterranean fever during and in between acute attacks

Abstract

Aim of the work: To compare the D-dimer status in children with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) during, and in between acute attacks. Patients and methods: The study included 50 children with FMF classified into group I (15 patients during acute attack) and group II (35 patients during attack free period) as well as and 20 matched controls. D-dimer was determined in all study population. Pattern and type of FMF gene mutation were reported from patients’ files. Results: The mean age of the patients was 8.7 ± 2.8 years, disease duration 4.4 ± 2.5 years and they were 28 males:22 females (1.3:1). In group I, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (48.5 ± 28.6 mm/1st h) and aspartate transaminase (28.5 ± 5 U/L) were significantly increased compared to group II (26.6 ± 14.7 mm/1st h and 25.7 ± 2.7 U/L; p = 0.012 and p = 0.014 respectively). Positive D-dimer was significantly reported in 72% of FMF patients compared with 35% of control (p = 0.006). There was significant difference between frequency of positive D-dimer in group I (86.7%) and group II (65.7%) compared to (35%) in control (p = 0.005 and p = 0.048, respectively), without a significant difference in D-dimer frequency between group I and group II patients (p = 0.18). Fever and abdominal pain were significantly more frequent in patients with positive (100% and 97.2%) compared to negative D-dimer (78.6% and 71.4%) (p = 0.02). No significant association was found between positive D-dimer and specific types of MEFV gene mutation. Conclusion: D-dimer was significantly positive in FMF patients compared to control. These results raise the possibility of thrombosis in FMF patients regardless the presence or absence of acute attack. Keywords: Children, D-dimer, Familial Mediterranean fever, Hypercoagulabilit