Normal autonomic nervous system responses in uncomplicated familial Mediterranean fever: a comparative case-control study

There is a paucity of knowledge regarding the autonomic nervous system function in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Therefore, our aim was to evaluate autonomic responses in patients with FMF using complementary tests. The study groups included 33 patients with uncomplicated FMF and 39 control subjects. Autonomic function was evaluated by measuring responses to metronomic breathing, the Valsalva maneuver, and the Ewing maneuver. Autonomic parameters were computed from electrocardiograms with designated computer software. There were no statistically significant differences in any of the measured parameters of autonomic function between the patient and control group. The measured autonomic parameters of both groups were similar to those previously reported in healthy individuals. In conclusion, patients with FMF who did not develop amyloidosis due to continuous colchicine treatment appeared to have normal autonomic function, as reflected by the normal response to physiological autonomic stimuli.