Choroidal Thickness Changes in the Acute Attack Period in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate choroidal thickness changes during acute attacks of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

METHODS

Fifty patients with FMF and 50 healthy controls were included. Choroidal thickness of each participant was measured at the foveola and horizontal nasal and temporal quadrants at 500-µm intervals to 1,500 µm from the foveola using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. White blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum levels of fibrinogen and C-reactive protein (CRP) were evaluated. The clinical findings (peritonitis, arthritis and pleuritis) were noted.

RESULTS

Choroidal thickness was significantly thicker at all measurement points in FMF patients compared to healthy controls during an acute attack (p < 0.05). There were positive correlations between the choroidal thickness and ESR, fibrinogen and, particularly, CRP levels. Clinical findings did not change the choroidal thickness significantly (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased choroidal thickness in the acute phase of FMF is possibly related to the inflammatory edematous changes in the choroid.