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Objective The association between chronic inflammatory conditions and cardiovascular disease is well established. Considering FMF, few studies exist investigating the risk of ischaemic heart disease, and none address the risk of stroke. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk for stroke in FMF patients compared with the general population. Methods A retrospective cohort study using the electronic database of Clalit Health Services (CHS), the largest health organization in Israel. All FMF patients diagnosed between 2000 and 2016 were included and matched with control according to age, gender and place of residence. Follow-up continued until the first diagnosis of stroke or death. The incidence of stroke was compared between the groups using univariate and multivariate models adjusting for cardiovascular risk-factors. Results A total of 9769 FMF patients and a similar number of controls were followed up for a median period of 12.5 years. The mean age at the beginning of the follow-up was 25.7 years. In total, 208 FMF patients were diagnosed with stroke compared with 148 controls, resulting in an incidence rate (per 10 000 persons-years) of 19.8 (95% CI 17.2, 22.7) and 13.9 (95% CI 11.8, 16.4), respectively, and a crude HR of 1.42 (95% CI 1.15–1.76; P  < 0.001). In a multivariate analysis, FMF patients who developed amyloidosis with related or non-related renal failure demonstrated significant stroke risk (HR = 2.16; 95% CI 1.38, 3.38; P  < 0.001), as well as for those who did not develop these complications (HR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.04, 1.67; P  < 0.05). Conclusion FMF patients are at increased risk for stroke regardless of known complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives The risk of amyloidosis during the course of AS is yet to be firmly established. We aimed to evaluate the risks, predictors and prognostic outcomes of amyloidosis among patients with AS. Methods A population-based cohort study was conducted comparing AS patients (n  = 5911) with age-, sex- and ethnicity-matched control subjects (n  = 29 007) with regard to incident cases of amyloidosis. Hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) were estimated by Cox regression and logistic regression analyses, respectively. Results The incidence rate of amyloidosis was 2.15 (95% CI 1.09, 2.82) and 0.35 (95% CI 0.16, 0.66) per 10 000 person-years among patients with AS and controls, respectively. The risk of incident amyloidosis was >6-fold higher among patients with AS relative to control subjects [adjusted HR 6.16 (95% CI 2.43, 15.62); P  < 0.001]. A higher comorbidity burden [OR 1.36 (95% CI 1.08, 1.73); P  = 0.010] was found to predict an increased susceptibility to amyloidosis in AS patients. Compared with other patients with AS, those with AS and comorbid amyloidosis had a 14-fold increased risk of end-stage renal disease necessitating dialysis [adjusted HR 14.7 (95% CI 2.0, 107.2); P  = 0.008], but comparable risk of all-cause mortality [adjusted HR 2.16 (95% CI 0.69, 6.71); P  = 0.174]. Conclusions Patients with AS are at an increased risk of amyloidosis. AS-associated amyloidosis is associated with an elevated risk of dialysis dependence. Awareness of the burden and consequences of this complication may be of help for rheumatologists managing patients with AS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]