The impact of peer victimization and psychological symptoms on quality of life in children and adolescents with FMF

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited, chronic, autoinflammatory disease that causes fever, arthritis, and inflammation of serous membranes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of peer bullying and psychological symptoms on the quality of life of children and adolescents with FMF. Forty-three children and adolescents aged 8-18 followed up with diagnoses of FMF and volunteering to take part, and 32 healthy controls were included in this study. Subjects who agreed to participate completed the Child Depression Inventory (CDI), Screen for Child Anxiety-Related Emotional Disorders (SCARED), Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (OBQ), and Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL)-child form. Parents also completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL)-parent form. Peer bullying victim role, CDI, total SCARED, and SCARED school fear scores were significantly higher in the group diagnosed with FMF than in the healthy controls, while scores for PedsQL completed by children and parents were significantly lower. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between the CDI scores, SCARED scores, and total PedsQL scores of children with FMF. Quality of life was lower in children and adolescents with FMF exposed to peer bullying in the victim, bully, and bully/victim roles. This study suggests that the presence of peer bullying, depression, and anxiety may have an adverse impact on the quality of life of children and adolescents with FMF.