Background and Objective: Genetic mutations in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) directly cause
inflammation and activation of the body's immune system. These inflammations often occur in various areas
of the body, including the abdomen, and may resemble symptoms of appendicitis. In many cases, these
abdominal inflammations recur, and at times, it can be challenging for physicians to determine whether the
inflammation is due to appendicitis or FMF. Therefore, the present study was conducted to address this gap
and aimed to determine the correlation between the type of mutations and the decision to perform
appendectomy in patients under 18 years old with FMF.
Materials & Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Ardabil University of
Medical Sciences, involving patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever who presented to the emergency
department of Kowsar Hospital in Ardabil. Data were collected from the clinical records of the patients and
systematically analyzed. Between March 2023 and September 2024, 120 patients under 18 years old who
visited the emergency department were included in the study. Information regarding age, gender, type of
mutation, and previous surgical history was collected, and the relationships between demographic and
clinical variables with treatment outcomes were assessed.
Results: Among the 120 patients with FMF, only 14 (11.67%) underwent appendectomy. The patients
were divided into two groups based on whether they had undergone appendectomy or not, and the
frequency of appendectomy was compared according to the type of genetic mutation. The results showed no
significant difference between the two groups regarding the type of mutation (P=0.7), meaning that different
mutations did not influence the decision to perform appendectomy in these patients.
Conclusion: This study concludes that in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever, different genetic
mutations do not have a significant impact on the decision to perform appendectomy. These findings
highlight the importance of considering other clinical factors, such as medical history, immune status, and
clinical signs, when making treatment decisions.