The relationship between physical activity level, gastrointestinal complaints and quality of life in patients with familial Mediterranean fever

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between physical activity (PA) level, gastrointestinal complaints, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) and to compare them with healthy individuals. Material and Methods: The study included patients diagnosed with FMF and healthy volunteers. Thirty-six FMF patients aged between 18-50 years and 38 healthy subjects were included in the study. The short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (UFAA short form) was used to determine the PA levels of individuals. QoL was evaluated using the Short Form-36 (SF-36), and the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GIQLI) was used for gastrointestinal complaints. Results: The mean age of the FMF patients (women=28 and men=8) was 41.27 +/- 14.19 years, which is comparable to that of the healthy individuals (43.26 +/- 10.72 years; women=32; men=6) (p >0.05). When the group results were compared, there was a significant difference in UFAA short form, SF-36, and GIQLI (p<0,05). A significant correlation was found between UFAA short form and SF-36, GIQLI in FMF patients (p<0,05). Discussion: It was observed that as the PA level of FMF patients decreased, their gastrointestinal complaints increased and their quality of life decreased. Therefore, recommendations should be made to increase PA levels in FMF patients.