A POSSIBLE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RESPIRATORY MUSCLE WEAKNESS AND FAMILIAL MEDITERRANEAN FEVER: A CASE REPORT

To Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autoinflammatory disorder with genetic origin. Pleuritis is most common in FMF. Long-term sequelae of respiratory system haven’t been described in FMF. We documented pulmonary manifestations in patient with FMF. A 61-year-old woman presented with dyspnea, unilateral chest pain, generalized myalgia and FMF. Physical examination was unremarkable. Radiological data showed left-sided pleuritis, mini mal pleural effusion. Pleural effusion resolved spontaneously in one week later but patient had still dyspnea. Pulmonary function tests (PFT) was normal. Further examination detected respiratory muscle weakness and decreased functional capacity. Patient then underwent inspiratory muscle training (IMT) for six weeks. After training, inspiratory muscle strength and functional capacity increased. Perception of dyspnea and fatique decreased. In long-term follow-up, frequency of attacks decreased. To our knowledge, there is no study on respiratory muscle weakness and IMT in FMF. Although this report doesn’t provide direct evidence, it may provide recommendation for investigation of respiratory muscle weakness and treatment with IMT in FMF with respiratory impairments. Randomized controlled trials are needed.