Evaluation of the relationship between enthesitis thickness and exercise–induced leg pain in patients with familial Mediterranean fever
33rd European Paediatric Rheumatology Congress, Belgrade, Sırbistan, 16 - 19 Eylül 2026, ss.179-180, (Özet Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Belgrade
- Basıldığı Ülke: Sırbistan
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.179-180
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Kocaeli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and serositis. Musculoskel etal manifestations such as arthralgia, enthesitis, and exercise-induced leg pain are common in these patients. In recent years, increased en thesis thickness and exercise-induced leg pain have been suggested to be associated with a more severe disease course in FMF. Objectives In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between enthesis thickness and disease severity in pediatric patients with FMF. Methods Patients followed in the pediatric rheumatology clinic with a diagnosis of FMF were included in this study. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from patient records. Enthesis thicknesses were measured by ultrasonography. The relationship between enthesis thickness and disease severity was analyzed statistically. Increased enthesis thickness was evaluated according to ultrasonographic reference values derived from healthy Turkish children reported in the literature. Results A total of 160 patients (89 females, 71 males) with FMF were included in the study. The median age was 10 years (5–19), while the median age at symptom onset and diagnosis were 4.5 years (5–16) and 6 years (1.5 17), respectively. The median follow-up duration was 3.2 years (2–17). Musculoskeletal involvement was common; arthralgia was present in 136 patients (85%), exercise-induced leg pain in 96 (60%), myalgia in 89 (55.6%), arthritis in 26 (16.2%). Forty-six patients (28.7%) were consid ered colchicine-resistant. Among all patients, increased enthesis thickness was most frequently detected at the distal quadriceps tendon in 44 patients (27.5%), followed by the Achilles tendon in 15 patients (9.4%) and the distal patellar ligament in 9 patients (5.6%). Increased thickness of the proximal patellar ligament was observed in only 1 pa tient (0.6%), while no increased plantar fascia thickness was detected. There were no significant differences between patients with and with out exercise-induced leg pain regarding age, sex, or BMI. However, patients with exercise-induced leg pain had significantly greater distal quadriceps tendon and proximal/distal patellar ligament thicknesses (Table 1). When measurements exceeding the upper reference limits adjusted for age, sex, and BMI were evaluated, increased distal quadri ceps tendon thickness was significantly more frequent in patients with exercise-induced leg pain (p= 0,01). Conclusion Distal quadriceps tendon thickness was increased in FMF patients with exercise-induced leg pain, whereas no association was observed with colchicine resistance or overall disease severity. These findings may re flect local mechanical loading or subclinical enthesopathy rather than severe systemic disease. Disclosure of interest None declared