[Evaluation of frequency and the attacks features of patients with colchicine resistance in FMF]

Abstract

Introduction: Colchicine is the mainstay for the treatment of FMF, which is an auto-inflammatory disease mainly with relapsing polyserositis. Despite daily doses of 2mg or more each day, approximately 5% to 10% of the patients continue to suffer from its attacks. In this study, we aimed to investigate the depression and attack features in patients with FMF who have colchicine resistance (CR).

Patients e methods: CR was defined for FMF patients with 2 or more attacks within the last 6 months period while using 2mg/day colchicine. Eighteen patients (9 Female/9 Male) were enrolled into the CR group and 41 patients were enrolled into the control group (12 Male/29 Female). Demographic, clinical e laboratory findings, treatment adherence, and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores were evaluated.

Results: The age of onset of FMF was significantly lower in the CR group (12.3 yrs vs. 16.9 yrs, P=0.03). Disease duration was longer in the CR group (P=0.01). Abdominal and leg pain due to exercise were significantly more frequent in the CR group versus controls (83% vs. 51%; P=0.02 e 88% vs. 60%; P=0.04, respectively). Patients with BDI scores over 17 points were more frequent in the CR group compared to controls (50% vs. 34.1%; P<0.001).

Discussion: We found that: (1) the age of disease onset was lower and (2) the disease duration was longer in CR group. Pleuritic attacks, hematuria e proteinuria were more frequent in CR patients. We propose that depression is an important factor to consider in the susceptibility to CR.

Keywords: Colchicine resistance; Depression; Depressão; Familial Mediterranean fever; Febre familiar do Mediterrâneo; Resistência à Colchicina; Tratamento; Treatment.