P wave and QT dispersion in familial mediterranean fever

A. Kirbas, K. Daglar, O. Kirbas, C. Koseoglu, O. Kara, E. Biberoglu, O. Kurmus, C. Yayla, N. Danisman

Department of Perinatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Women Health Care, Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. ozgurkirbas@yahoo.com

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• Cardiology

OBJECTIVE: Familial mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common auto-inflammatory disease that is characterized by recurrent, self-limited attacks of fever and serous membrane inflammation. Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases are considered to have a raised cardiovascular diseases risk. The aim of this study was to investigate; by means of P wave dispersion (Pd) and QT dispersion (QTd) parameters detected by simple standard electrocardiogram (ECG), atrial and ventricular repolarization changes in pregnant women with and without FMF.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this case-control study including 37 pregnant women with FMF who already put on colchicine treatment and 40 healthy, uncomplicated pregnancy cases, were prospectively assessed using 12-lead ECG and echocardiography.

RESULTS: No differences in Pd and corrected QT values were found between the groups. Epicardial fat thickness values were significantly higher in the FMF group compared with the control group (p = 0.015). A positive correlation was found between FMF duration and epicardial fat thickness (r = 0.350, p = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS: Pd, a non-invasive marker of potential atrial arrhythmia and QT-d, a non-invasive marker of potentially lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmia, constitute a recent contribution to the field of noninvasive electrocardiology. Pd and QT-d values were not altered in pregnant women with FMF who already put on colchicine treatment, with no increased risk of atrial or ventricular arrhythmias indicated. Colchicine may have a cardio-protective effect beyond the effect mediated through suppression of inflammation.

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