Assessment of Epicardial Adipose Tissue Thickness in Children with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Abstract

Background Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is suggested to be associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness is used in prediction of atherosclerotic risk. The aim of our study was to evaluate EAT thickness in FMF patients for early detection of risk of atherosclerosis and to be compared with its level in healthy controls. Methods Thirty 6- to 18-year-old children with FMF and 30 age- and sex-matched children (control group) were included in the study. Disease characteristics, disease severity and Mediterranean fever gene mutations were recorded. EAT thicknesses was measured by echocardiography. Results EAT in patients’ group was significantly greater than that of controls (5.21 ± 2.3 vs. 2.81 ± 2.96 mm, p = 0.001) and was correlated with cholesterol level and platelets count (p = 0.047 and 0.018, respectively). Conclusion This study concluded that EAT thickness was statistically increased in FMF patients than controls with a positive correlation with cholesterol level and platelet count. This finding suggests a higher risk for atherosclerosis in these patients. Follow-up study is needed to verify the effect of treatment of FMF on the EAT thickness. Further studies with larger number of patients following-up EAT are needed to verify this finding.

Association of familial Mediterranean fever and epicardial adipose tissue: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…Measurement of mean platelet volume and cholesterol level are easy and inexpensive tests for investigation of thrombosis and atherosclerosis in FMF patients, also echocardiography is an easy and noninvasive way that could be used to measure EAT thickness. 32,35 The results of this study may be interpreted in clinical practice, as epicardial adipose tissue thickness may be used as a marker to assess the risk of atherosclerosis in FMF patients. FMF patients should perform echocardiography regularly to measure EAT, as they are at increased risk of developing increased EAT.…”

“… 7 Ghobrial conducted another study on 30 6–18‐year‐old children and found a significant correlation between EAT thickness in all heart chambers and platelet count in FMF cases. 32 No correlation between the age of FMF diagnosis or age at disease onset and EAT thickness. 32 Kozan et al tested 65 FMF patients against control and found the EAT thickness increased in the diseased group.…”

“… 32 No correlation between the age of FMF diagnosis or age at disease onset and EAT thickness. 32 Kozan et al tested 65 FMF patients against control and found the EAT thickness increased in the diseased group. Other parameters were associated with cardiovascular risk Vitamin D deficiency and pulse wave velocity increases.…”

“…It is essential to determine if FMF patients have a higher risk of atherosclerosis, even when they're young. Measurement of mean platelet volume and cholesterol level are easy and inexpensive tests for investigation of thrombosis and atherosclerosis in FMF patients, also echocardiography is an easy and noninvasive way that could be used to measure EAT thickness 32,35 …”

“…Patients' age at diagnosis, duration of delay in diagnosis, and mean platelets volume (MPV) values correlated with EAT thickness as well 7 . Ghobrial conducted another study on 30 6–18‐year‐old children and found a significant correlation between EAT thickness in all heart chambers and platelet count in FMF cases 32 . No correlation between the age of FMF diagnosis or age at disease onset and EAT thickness 32 .…”