The effects of working conditions on work life in Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) patients

Abstract

Introduction: Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a common autoinflammatory disease, especially in Mediterranean populations. FMF typically occurs with fever and serositis attacks and can negatively affect the individual's life. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effects of working conditions and the disease course on the work life of FMF patients.
 Methods: The adult patients with pathogenic or likely pathogenic mutations in the MEFV gene who applied to our medical genetic outpatient clinic of the Faculty of Medicine, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University between 01.01.2010 and 01.08.2020 were included in our study. We created a questionnaire of 34 questions, which included sociodemographic data, information about the FMF course of the patients, and the effects of work conditions and FMF on the work life of these patients. The questionnaire link, created over Google Drive, was sent to the patient's current mobile phone numbers via text message, and the answers received until 31.12.2020 were evaluated.
 Results: A total of 154 survey responses were obtained, and 113 were eligible for our study. Twenty-four of 104 (23.1%) participants who have worked in any job so far stated that they have changed or quit their jobs because of increased or worsening FMF attacks. Of 72 participants who have been working actively for the last year, 4 (5.6%) of them we are reported that they have a health problem in the workplace due to FMF disease. The statistically significant relationships were found between the FMF-induced changing or quitting job and the attack number in the last year regardless of attack severity, work-related adverse psychological effects, the mode of transportation to work, and the physical conditions in the working environment.
 Conclusion: We suggest that the regulation of work environments, considering the factors that trigger attacks in FMF patients, will contribute to the increase in quality of life and work performance in these patients.