[Self-medication to treat pain in attacks of familial Mediterranean fever: aiming to find a new approach to pain management].

BACKGROUND

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disease characterized by bouts of fever and serositis. Morbidity caused by bouts as well as self-medication were assessed among patients of Turkish ancestry living in Germany (D) or Turkey (T) in order to evaluate current analgetic concepts from a patient's perspective.

METHODS

D and T were asked about the 3 months preceding the interview.

RESULTS

A total of 40 D and 40 T were included; 35/40 D and 40/40 T were on colchicine. In the last 3 months, 61.3 % had ≥ 1 bout and suffered from peritonitis (87.8 %), fever (61.2 %), myalgia (45 %), pleuritis (42.8 %), arthralgia (36.7 %), and cephalgia (32.6 %). Of the patients, 65.3 % were bedridden during bouts, 61.2 % sought the attention of a physician, 53.1 % were unable to work or attend school, and 38.8 % were hospitalized. The following drugs were taken: NSAIDs (45.6 %), NSAIDs and paracetamol (42.6 %), and combinations of NSAIDs with other analgesics. NSAIDs (58.6 %) and paracetamol (20.7 %) were considered the most potent substances.

CONCLUSIONS

FMF inflicts substantial morbidity. Patients most commonly rely on NSAIDs and paracetamol to relieve symptoms of FMF bouts.