Cochlear functions in children with familial Mediterranean fever: Any role of the severity of the disease?

ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to compare the cochlear functions of children diagnosed with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) with healthy controls and to determine their cochlear functions according to their disease severity.MethodsSeventy-three children with FMF and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. All the patients and controls were evaluated by audiologic evaluation, including high-frequency pure-tone audiometry and distortion product otoacoustic emission tests (DPOAE). The disease severity was evaluated by scoring systems adapted from those used by Pras et al. and with severity scoring systems from the Sheba Medical Center.ResultsHigh-frequency pure-tone audiometry and DPOAE levels were normal in both patients and controls. Significant differences in the hearing levels of FMF patients were not found, according to both adapted severity scoring systems.ConclusionsCochlear functions in children with FMF had been evaluated by previous studies, but in our study we evaluated hearing functions according to both controls and disease severity. As a unique study comparing cochlear functions according to severity scores, no significant differences were shown between the groups and controls.