Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study was to assess the presence of dysautonomia, as manifested in abnormal cardiovascular reactivity, in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).
Methods
Fifty-five consecutive patients with FMF and 23 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated. Cardiovascular reactivity was studied: (1) using recordings of blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) during 10 min of recumbence and 30 min of head-up tilt test to identify clinical endpoints and (2) during tilt-test, identifying parameters acting as independent predictors of FMF reactivity and enabling computation of a cardiovascular reactivity score (CVRS).
Results
Clinically, vasovagal reaction, postural tachycardia syndrome, and/or orthostatic hypotension were observed in ten patients (18.1%). Utilizing a derived equation, the group average CVRS in FMF was 5.83±1.78 (healthy group −7.60±5.41) (P=<0.0001). A CVRS of >3.25 was associated with FMF, with 98% sensitivity and 100% specificity.
Conclusion
A very high percentage of FMF patients exhibit abnormal cardiovascular reactivity which is clinically occult but can be detected on autonomic challenge and application of the CVRS.
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Rozenbaum, M., Naschitz, J.E., Yudashkin, M. et al. Cardiovascular reactivity score for the assessment of dysautonomia in familial Mediterranean fever. Rheumatol Int 24, 147–152 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-003-0344-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-003-0344-x