Aim of the work: It was to estimate the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), lipid profile, serum amyloid A and vitamin D in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients and to explore the relationship
between CIMT and FMF.
Patients and methods: The study comprised forty-five FMF patients diagnosed during the attack free period and 40 healthy children with similar demographic features as control. The diagnosis of the FMF cases
was confirmed by clinical, laboratory assessments and confirmed by the molecular diagnosis. The CIMT,
lipid profile, complete blood picture, serum amyloid A (SAA) levels, vitamin D and the growth pattern
were investigated.
Results: The study showed no significant difference of CIMT among patients and controls, significant
decrease of vitamin D levels, while lipid profile parameters, triglyceride (TG) to HDL-Cholesterol (HDLC) ratio, serum amyloid A were significantly increased. A significant correlation was present between
the CIMT with the serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein and triglycerides as well as between SAA
and the number of attacks. In addition, vitamin D levels showed significant negative correlation with colchicine. M694I mutation was the most prevalent among FMF patients. Growth parameters were normal in
FMF cases.
Conclusion: This study sheds light that the normal CIMT in the FMF patients makes it difficult to describe
the children as having subclinical atherosclerosis although the higher TG/HDL ratio reflects their risk of
atherosclerosis. Moreover, significant decrease of vitamin D in FMF patients was observed. The growth
parameters of the FMF patients on regular treatment of colchicine were not affected.

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