Abstract:

Aim: To investigate the frequency of atopic disease, a prototype Th2 disease in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Materials and Methods: This study included 49 children with FMF and 30 age-and gender-matched healthy children. All participants were questioned about allergic diseases using the modified questions from ISAAC Study questionnaire. Total immunoglobulin (Ig) E levels and eosinophil counts were determined, and skin-prick test was performed. Results: The skin-prick test showed no significant difference in the rate of positive response to at least one allergen in the children with FMF (10.2%) and the control group (10.0%). The rate of physician-diagnosed asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema were similar in both groups. The answers given to the questions about allergic diseases were similar and there was no difference in the measurements of IgE levels and eosinophil counts of the two groups. Conclusion: We determined that atopy frequencies were similar in children with and without FMF.

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