Nailfold capillary abnormalities in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Objective To determine the frequency and the degree of the nailfold capilla ry abnormalities in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Methods We studied 67 (M/F: 28/39) patients with FMF Thirty-seven healthy s ubjects (16/21), 19 patients (0/19) with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) , and 8 patients (0/8) with scleroderma (PSS) were also studied. All partic ipants were questioned for the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Capil lary, loops of eight fingers were evaluated and scored with respect to avas cular areas, tortuosity, enlargement and extravasations by the conventional capillary microscopy. Both FMF patients and healthy controls were examined in a blind manner Results FMF patients differed from healthy controls by the presence of incr eased tortuosity and enlargement of capillary loops, but not by microhemorr hages. Being female and the presence of RP were the factors that correlated with the capillaroscopic findings. Conclusion Capillary abnormalities are seen in patients with FMF.