Prevalence of Myalgia, Arthralgia, and Lower Limb Pain Induced by Physical Activity in Patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)

Introduction: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disorder marked by recurrent febrile attacks and serosal inflammation. While musculoskeletal symptoms such as myalgia and arthralgia are well recognized, exercise-induced musculoskeletal pain in FMF patients remains underexplored.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated ۱۱۵ genetically confirmed FMF patients at Bouali Hospital in Ardabil. Data on demographic characteristics, MEFV gene mutations, clinical history, and the presence of exercise-related musculoskeletal pain were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to identify associations between pain and clinical/genetic factors.Results: Out of ۱۱۵ patients, ۵۰ (۴۳.۵%) reported myalgia, arthralgia, or lower limb pain triggered by physical activity. No significant associations were found between pain and gender, age, age at disease onset, area of residence, parental consanguinity, specific MEFV mutations, or family history of FMF (p > ۰.۰۵ for all variables).Conclusion: Exercise-induced musculoskeletal pain is a common but clinically underestimated feature in FMF patients. Its occurrence appears independent of common demographic or genetic markers. Greater clinical attention is needed to address this symptom, potentially through tailored physical activity guidance and adjunctive pain management strategies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Familial Mediterranean fever ، myalgia ، Exercise-induced pain ، MEFV gene