COVID-19 in familial Mediterranean fever: Clinical course and complications related to primary disease

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objectives To evaluate the impact of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) features on the clinical course and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and clinical course of FMF after COVID-19. Methods Consecutive FMF patients with COVID-19 were enrolled from three referral hospitals. Clinical features of FMF and detailed COVID-19 information were obtained from patient interviews and medical records. Results Seventy-three FMF patients were included in the study. 94.5% of patients had clinical symptoms of COVID-19. We found 24.7% hospitalization, 12.3% respiratory support, 4.1% intensive care unit admission, 6.8% complication, and 1.4% mortality rate in patients. The risk factors of hospitalization for respiratory support were male gender [OR: 7.167 (95% CI: 1.368–37.535)], greater age [OR: 1.067 (95% CI: 1.016–1.121)], and non-adherence to colchicine treatment before the infection [OR: 7.5 (95% CI: 1.348–41.722)]. One-third of patients had reported attacks after COVID-19. The patterns of triggered attacks were fever, peritonitis, pleuritis, transient arthritis, chronic knee mono-arthritis, and protracted febrile myalgia. Conclusions FMF characteristics were not associated with worse outcomes of COVID-19. Colchicine non-adherence was the risk factor of hospitalization for oxygen support. The rate of FMF attacks after COVID-19 is prominently increased, with some of them being protracted and destructive.