Lipid profile and atherogenic indices and their association with platelet indices in familial Mediterranean fever

OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate lipid profiles and atherogenic indices and their association with platelet indices in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients.

METHODS
A total of 63 FMF patients and 51 healthy individuals were included in this retrospective study. Inflammatory marker values (erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], C-reactive protein [CRP] and fibrinogen), platelet indices (mean platelet volume, plateletcrit value, platelet large cell ratio, and platelet distribution width), lipid profiles (levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) were recorded. Atherogenic indices (atherogenic index of plasma [AIP], atherogenic coefficient [AC], Castelli’s risk indices I and II [CRI I and II]) were calculated using lipid parameters.

RESULTS
In FMF patients, while AIP, AC, and CRI I and II values were significantly higher than in the healthy control group, the HDL cholesterol level was significantly lower (all p<0.05). However, no significant difference was determined in terms of the other studied parameters (all p>0.05). In male FMF patients, whereas AIP, AC, and CRI I and II values were significantly higher than in female FMF patients, the platelet count, ESR, and HDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower (all p<0.05). The level of CRP was negatively correlated with HDL cholesterol (r=−0.275; p=0.032) and total cholesterol level (r=−0.313; p=0.014) in FMF patients. HDL cholesterol level was negatively correlated with disease duration (r=−0.269; p=0.049).

CONCLUSION
The use of atherogenic indices may be recommended to identify patients with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in FMF, especially in male patients.