Autoinflammatory & rare systemic diseases
The effect of IL-1 blockers on exertional leg pain in familial Mediterranean fever patients: an exploratory study
Authors' conclusion
IL-1 blockers provide meaningful benefit in approximately half of patients with FMF-related ELP, supporting their role as a therapeutic option for this refractory manifestation.
Study context
- Population
- Colchicine-resistant familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) patients with exertional leg pain, Sheba Medical Center FMF clinic
- Participants
- 27 patients
- Exposure
- Before vs during IL-1 blocker treatment
- IL-1 blockersn = 27
- Outcome
- Reduction in exertional leg pain severity, measured by change in VAS pain score (0-10)
Methodological detailsexploratory, single-centre, retrospective self-assessment before and during treatment
- Exploratory
- Single-centre
- Retrospective self-assessment before and during treatment
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Exertional leg pain VAS (0-10), change before vs during IL-1 blockade
Mean pain score decrease (± as printed)
3.0 ± 3.68 points
P = 0.0003
Patients reporting improvement in exertional leg pain (ELP)
52%
14/27
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Quality of life (QOL) (visual analogue scale (VAS) 0-10), change
- Mean QOL score improvement
- 3.07 ± 3.73 points (P = 0.0002)
Correlation of residual ELP severity with QOL under biological treatment
- Strong negative correlation
- r = −0.73, P < 0.0001
Original publication
The effect of IL-1 blockers on exertional leg pain in familial Mediterranean fever patients: an exploratory study. Rheumatology (Oxford). Published 22 April 2026. doi:10.
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