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Prevalence, incidence and geographic distribution of familial Mediterranean fever in Turkey: a national cohort study

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

 

  1. Rheumatology Department, University of Health Sciences, Abdurrahman Yurtarslan Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. hasan.satis@saglik.gov.tr
  2. Rheumatology Department, Istanbul University, Medical Faculty of İstanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
  3. Rheumatology Department, Hacettepe University, Medical Faculty of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
  4. Rheumatology Department, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Bilkent State Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
  5. Rheumatology Department, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Bilkent State Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
  6. Rheumatology Department, Gazi University, Medical Faculty of Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
  7. Rheumatology Department, Sakarya University, Medical Faculty of Sakarya University, Ankara, Turkey.
  8. Biostatistics Department, Hacettepe University, Medical Faculty of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
  9. Rheumatology Department, Hacettepe University, Medical Faculty of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
  10. Rheumatology Department, University of Health Sciences, Gülhane Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
  11. Rheumatology Department, University of Health Sciences, Ankara Etlik State Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
  12. Rheumatology Department, Yildirim Beyazit Universityi, Ankara Bilkent State Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
  13. Rheumatology Department, Istanbul University, Medical Faculty of Cerrahpaşa University, Istanbul, Turkey.
  14. Paediatric Rheumatology Department, Istanbul University, Medical Faculty of Cerrahpaşa University, Istanbul, Turkey.
  15. Paediatric Rheumatology Department, Hacettepe University, Medical Faculty of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
  16. Health Information Systems, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
  17. Health Information Systems, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
  18. Health Information Systems, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
  19. Strategy Development Department, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
  20. Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey.
  21. Rheumatology Department, Hacettepe University, Medical Faculty of Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.

CER18421
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PMID: 41031678 [PubMed]

Received: 06/12/2024
Accepted : 08/04/2025
In Press: 01/10/2025

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
This study aimed to analyse the incidence and geographical distribution of Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) in Turkey using the electronic medical records database (e-Pulse) of the Ministry of Health.
METHODS:
The study utilised nationwide health data from the e-Pulse, which has been operational since 2016. Patient selection was based on ICD-10 codes for FMF, with a minimum of two recorded codes entered at least 30 days apart. Patients aged ≥50 and those with gout-related ICD-10 codes were excluded. The prevalence and incidence of FMF in 2018 were calculated, taking into account gender, age demographics, and regional distribution.
RESULTS:
A total of 160,897 FMF patients were identified from a population of 82,003,882, yielding a prevalence of 139 per 10,000 individuals. The incidence was 2.78 per 10,000. The highest number of records was found among individuals aged 15-19. Geographically, the highest rate of prevalence was found in Ardahan, Bayburt, and Sivas, regions in the North-Eastern part of Turkey. Family records revealed that 11.7% of children under 18 with FMF had at least one parent diagnosed with FMF.
CONCLUSIONS:
FMF is beyond the definition of a rare disease and a significant health issue in Turkey, with a non-uniform distribution influenced by both genetic and historical factors. The findings of this study highlight the utility of national electronic health records like e-Pulse in conducting large-scale epidemiological research, which could guide future public health strategies for FMF patients.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/pzbg88

Rheumatology Article