Quality of life changes with canakinumab therapy in adults with colchicine resistant FMF

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), the most common form of the hereditary autoinflammatory disorders, is characterized by recurrent attacks of fever along with serosal or synovial inflammation lasting usually 12 to 72 hours. FMF is associated with impaired functional ability, and the persistent disabling features and chronic pain, emotional and physical limitations can have a negative impact on the health-related quality of life (QoL) of the patients. There is no established treatment available for those resistant or intolerant to standard of care colchicine treatment. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of crFMF. Canakinumab, a fully human, selective, anti-IL-1β monoclonal antibody, binds to IL-1β and inactivates its signalling activity. Gul et al. have described the efficacy and safety of canakinumab in adults with colchicine resistant (cr) FMF in a local pivotal phase II trial. Here, we report the effect of canakinumab treatment on QoL measured by SF-36 Questionnaire.