Evaluation of Nasal Mucociliary Activity in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate nasal airway resistance and nasal mucociliary activity in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients using anterior rhinomanometry and saccharin clearance test. Methods: 30 patients with FMF disease and 30 healthy individuals were included in this prospective, cross-sectional study. Nasal airway resistance was measured via active anterior rhinomanometry and saccharin test was carried out for the measurement of nasal mucociliary clearance (NMC) times of all participants. Results: Mean values for NMC time in the FMF patient group and control group were found as 14.6 ± 4.7 (range, 8-30) min. and 9.7 ± 2.3 (range, 6-14) min. respectively. Nasal mucociliary clearance time in the FMF patients was significantly prolonged in comparison that of healthy controls (p < 0.001). We identified no significant correlation between the disease duration and NMC time (p=0.921, r = 0.019). When the mean nasal airway resistance values of both groups were compared, there was no significant difference was detected (p = 0.371). Conclusion: The results of our study have revealed that NMC time was longer in patients with FMF than that healthy controls. However, there was no statistically significant correlation between nasal mucociliary clearance time and disease duration. Disruption of NMC increases the risk of infection in the upper and lower respiratory tract. Caution should be exercised against upper and lower respiratory infections in patients with FMF.