Gout is an inflammatory condition mediated by Interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β). A mutation in the MEFV gene (the gene related to Familial Mediterranian fever) may cause an elevation in IL-1β, and is associated with a variety of inflammatory conditions. Reports in the literature are inconsistent as to whether a mutated MEFV gene is related to the phenotype of gout.
To assess whether a carriage state of a mutation in the MEFV gene correlates with the expression and severity of gout.
A total of 73 patients, 50 with gout and 23 with hyperuricemia were examined for an MEFV mutation. Carriage rate was compared between hyperuricemic and gout patients, and disease activity measures were compared between MEFV mutation carriers and non-carriers.
We did not find a statistically significant difference in the carriage rate of an MEFV mutation between gout patients and hyperuricemic patients without gout, nor did we find a correlation between MEFV mutation carriage and gout severity.
Further large-scale studies should be conducted in order to determine a possible correlation between MEFV mutation carriage and gout.