Work productivity impairment in patients with familial Mediterranean fever and effects of interleukin-1 antagonists.

INTRODUCTION: Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is characterized by recurrent attacks of fever, serositis, and arthritis. Some patients suffer from associated inflammatory conditions and damage related to FMF that may potentially impair work productivity which have not been studied to date. METHODS: Consecutive FMF patients who were attending a tertiary referral center and age-and sex-matched healthy subjects enrolled into the study. Disease activity was assessed with autoinflammatory disease activity index (AIDAI) and patient global assessment. Damage was evaluated using Autoinflammatory Disease Damage Index (ADDI). Quality of life (QoL) and work productivity were determined with 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Specific Health Problem v2.0 (WPAI:SHP), respectively. RESULTS: There were 111 FMF patients, 60 female (54%), mean age 32.7±8.7 years. There were significant impairments in all domains of the SF-36 QoL in FMF patients. Of the 111 patients enrolled, 65 (58.6%) were employed in a paid work. Mean% ±SD impairment in work productivity both assessed as absenteeism (9.3±23.2% vs. 0.7±2.6, p=0.013) and presenteeism (35.2±32.6% vs. 9.6±14.7, p<0.001) were significantly higher in FMF patients compared to healthy subjects. Impairment in work productivity was correlated with the number of attacks, disease activity, colchicine resistance, and disease-associated damage. Impairment was most significant in colchicine-resistant FMF patients but lower in those on interleukin (IL)-1 antagonist treatments. CONCLUSIONS: FMF causes significant work impairment and reduced QoL which is associated with disease activity and damage. The use of IL-1 antagonists may help to improve work productivity and QoL in FMF patients with frequent attacks. Key points • Work productivity is impaired in patients with FMF. • Disease activity was an independent predictor for impaired work productivity. • IL-1 antagonists may improve work productivity and quality of life in FMF patients with frequent attacks.

Evaluation of Clinical, Laboratory and Treatment Modalities in C3 Glomerulopathy: Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND/AIM: C3 glomerulopathy (C3GP) defines a rare group of glomerulonephritis (GN), which could lead to end stage renal disease (ESRD). Histopathologic features of the disease have yet to be defined and the prognostic factors and optimal treatment are not fully known. The purpose of this study was to determine the demographic, histological change, treatment modalities and outcomes among patients with C3GP. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Nephrology, Gazi University, Ankara, from 2013 to 2017. All patients with kidney biopsies fulfilling the criteria for C3GP were included in the study. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with C3GP (50% male and of middle age - 43 years old) were enrolled in this study. 21% (5/24) patients developed ESRD. Renal biopsy findings such as crescent formation, glomerulo-sclerosis and tubular atrophy were similar in patients with ESRD, when compared to patients who did not develop ESRD. The treatment modalities of the patients were examined in two groups as MMF based and non-MMF based. The difference in the preservation of eGFR did not reach statistical significance between these two groups. The success rate of complete remission was similar between both groups. Serum creatinine levels >2.3 mg/dl at admission and need for renal replacement treatment (RRT) were associated with decreased renal survival. CONCLUSION: MMF based or non-MMF based treatments have similar efficacy in C3GP. Serum creatinine level higher than 2.3 mg/dl at the time of diagnosis and need for RRT during admission are a strong predictor of ESRD with high sensitivity and specificity.