Subclinical Inflammation and Simple Blood Parameters in Pregnant with Familial Mediterranean Fever

Aim: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is the most common hereditary monogenic auto-inflammatory disease. Studies suggest that inflammation persists even in attack-free periods in FMF patients. In this study, we aim to investigate the potential of simple blood parameters including neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio (LMR), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distributed width (PDW) as emerging inflammatory markers to identify chronic inflammations during symptom-free periods in a group of pregnant patients with FMF. Material and Method: A total of consecutive 65 singleton pregnancies, 33 with FMF and the other 32 healthy women, were followed from the first trimester to the end of the pregnancies. Blood samples for biochemical analyses (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen) and a complete blood count were obtained at 11-13 weeks and at 16-19 weeks following a detailed examination. Results: While the mean, NLR, PLR, PDW, fibrinogen, and LMR values were comparable between the groups, the mean hs-CRP levels were significantly higher and MPV values were significantly lower in the FMF group compared with the control group at both the first and second trimester. There was a significant negative correlation between hs-CRP levels with MPV at second trimester (r= -0.375 p=0.003). Discussion: Since all of our FMF patients had already been on regular colchicine therapy on admission, we admit, at least theoretically, that the anti-inflammatory and potential effects of colchicine on platelets could have altered our results. Otherwise, MPV may be used as a negative acute-phase reactant in pregnant patients with FMF