The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) of patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and to explore its possible contributing factors.
One hundred and two FMF patients were evaluated using a QOL Scale, and were compared to 124 healthy controls. The QOL scale includes 16 items, each measured on a 7-point scale (7 indicating maximal satisfaction).
The total QOL score of FMF patients was significantly lower than that of the controls: 81.6 +/- 19.2 vs 88.0 +/- 12.8 (p < 0.01). Male and female patients reported similar QOL scores. QOL was inversely correlated with the number of FMF attacks in the last year (r = -0.302, p = 0.002), and with the number of FMF hospitalizations (r = -0.238, p = 0.017). Patients with widespread pain, sleep disturbances and headaches had significantly lower QOL scores than patients without them.
The QOL of FMF patients was found to be impaired compared to healthy controls. Further studies are needed to determine the exact factors affecting the quality of life of FMF patients.