The influence of MEFV variations on serum lipid profile

Objective:

The serum level of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and ApoA1 are decreased in patients with familial Mediterraen fever. The objective of this study was to assess influence of MEFV variations on serum lipid profile.

Methods:

The 8864 MEFV variations were assessed between July 1999 to August 2008, retrospectively. The age, sex, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, leukocyte, fibrinogen, HDL-C, LDL-C, TC and triglyceride levels were noted. The people were classified according to inflammation status as either "non-inflammatory group" or "inflammatory group". All patients were screened for 10 common MEFV variations.

Results:

Seven hundred forty eight people (57% female) were appropriate for the assessment. The mean age was 36±12 SD years. Five hundred twenty one people (69.5%) were in ''non-inflammatory group''. In the non-inflammatory group, MEFV negative people had higher HDL-C levels compared to MEFV homozygote or compound heterozygote [58.9±17.9 vs 50.7±14.5, p<0.001] people. MEFV negative people also had high HDL-C [58.9±17.9 vs 54.5±13.3, p=0.024], and TC levels [108.6±80.5 vs 116.7±76.9, p=0.037] than MEFV heterozygote people. M694V homozygote people had more prominent dyslipidemic lipid profile; mean serum HDL-C level was 45.1±12.6 mg/dl.

Conclusions:

The MEFV homozygote, compound heterozygote or heterozygote people had low HDL-C, LDL-C and TC serum levels compared to MEFV negative people. MEFV variations may be one of the reasons of low serum HDL-C levels in the Turkish population.