Familial Mediterranean fever is caused by a gene inherited from both parents.
Typically, most people have attacks of severe abdominal pain and a high fever.
The diagnosis usually is based on symptoms, but genetic testing is available.
Colchicine is taken to reduce or eliminate the number of painful attacks and eliminate the risk of kidney failure due to amyloidosis.
Familial Mediterranean fever is the most common hereditary periodic fever syndrome Overview of Hereditary Periodic Fever Syndromes Hereditary periodic fever syndromes are hereditary disorders that periodically cause episodes of fever and other symptoms that are not due to usual childhood infections or any other obvious... read more 
across all age groups. It occurs most commonly among people of Mediterranean origin (such as Sephardic Jews, North African Arabs, Armenians, Greeks, Italians, and Turks). However, this disorder has occurred among people of other origins (such as Ashkenazi Jews, Cubans, and Japanese). Up to 50% of people who have familial Mediterranean fever have family members, usually siblings, who have the disorder (family history).
Familial Mediterranean fever is caused by an abnormal recessive gene Recessive disorders Genes are segments of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) that contain the code for a specific protein that functions in one or more types of cells in the body or code for functional RNA molecules.... read more . That is, to develop the disorder, people usually must have two copies of the abnormal gene, one from each parent. However, rarely, only one copy of the abnormal gene may be enough to cause some symptoms.
The abnormal gene results in the production of a defective form of pyrin, a protein that regulates inflammation. There are a number of different possible mutations of the gene, not all of which have been identified, which may explain why some people with typical familial Mediterranean fever are not found to have a mutation in the gene. Alternatively, there may also be nongenetic and environmental factors that play a role in how this syndrome develops.
Symptoms
Symptoms of familial Mediterranean fever usually begin between the ages of 5 and 15.
The most common symptoms are
Abdominal pain and fever
Attacks of abdominal pain occur in about 95% of people. Attacks happen irregularly and are accompanied by fever as high as 104° F (40° C). The painful attacks usually last 24 to 72 hours but may last longer. Attacks may occur as often as twice a week or as seldom as once a year. The severity and frequency of the attacks may decrease with age, during pregnancy, and in people who develop amyloidosis Amyloidosis Amyloidosis is a rare disease in which abnormally folded proteins form into collections called amyloid fibrils that accumulate in various tissues and organs, sometimes leading to organ dysfunction... read more 
. Sometimes the attacks stop completely for a number of years, only to resume afterwards.
The abdominal pain is caused by inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis Peritonitis Abdominal pain is common and often minor. Severe abdominal pain that comes on quickly, however, almost always indicates a significant problem. The pain may be the only sign of the need for surgery... read more ). The pain usually starts in one part of the abdomen then spreads throughout the entire abdomen. The severity of the pain may vary with each attack.
Less common symptoms include
Chest pain Chest Pain Chest pain is a very common complaint. Pain may be sharp or dull, although some people with a chest disorder describe their sensation as discomfort, tightness, pressure, gas, burning, or aching... read more : About 30% of affected people have chest pain. Chest pain, which is typically triggered by breathing, is caused by inflammation of the membranes surrounding the lungs (pleuritis) or, rarely, by inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis Acute Pericarditis Acute pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium (the flexible two-layered sac that envelops the heart) that begins suddenly, is often painful, and causes fluid and blood components such... read more
).Arthritis: About 25% of people have inflammation of large joints (arthritis), such as the knees, ankles, and hips.
Rash: A painful red rash that usually appears near the ankles may occur but is comparatively rare among affected people in the United States.
Scrotum pain: In males, the thick-skinned sac that surrounds and protects the testes (scrotum) may swell and be painful due to inflammation of a testis (testicle).
Despite the severity of symptoms during attacks, people rapidly recover and remain free of illness until their next attack.
Complications of familial Mediterranean fever
If not treated adequately, some people with familial Mediterranean fever develop amyloidosis Amyloidosis Amyloidosis is a rare disease in which abnormally folded proteins form into collections called amyloid fibrils that accumulate in various tissues and organs, sometimes leading to organ dysfunction... read more . In amyloidosis, an unusually shaped protein called amyloid is deposited in the kidneys and in many organs and tissues, impairing their function.
Amyloid deposits may damage the kidneys, eventually resulting in kidney failure Overview of Kidney Failure Kidney failure is the inability of the kidneys to adequately filter metabolic waste products from the blood. Kidney failure has many possible causes. Some lead to a rapid decline in kidney function... read more . People may retain fluids, feel weak, and lose their appetite.
About one third of women with the disorder are infertile or miscarry. About 20 to 30% of pregnancies end in loss of the fetus. The disorder can cause scar tissue to form in the pelvis. The scar tissue can interfere with conception.
People with familial Mediterranean fever have an increased risk of developing other inflammatory disorders, such as ankylosing spondylitis Ankylosing Spondylitis Ankylosing spondylitis is a spondyloarthritis characterized by inflammation of the spine (spondylitis), large joints, and fingers and toes, resulting in stiffness and pain. Prolonged joint pain... read more 
, immunoglobulin A–associated (IgA) vasculitis Immunoglobulin A–Associated Vasculitis Immunoglobulin A–associated vasculitis (formerly called Henoch-Schönlein purpura) is inflammation of mainly small blood vessels that most often occurs in children. A rash of reddish purple bumps... read more 
(formerly Henoch-Schönlein purpura), juvenile idiopathic arthritis Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is a group of related childhood diseases that begin by age 16 and involve persistent or recurring inflammation of the joints. Certain forms of juvenile idiopathic... read more , polyarteritis nodosa Polyarteritis Nodosa (PAN) Polyarteritis nodosa is a form of vasculitis involving inflammation of medium-sized arteries. Any organ can be affected but usually not the lungs. Polyarteritis nodosa can be rapidly fatal or... read more , multiple sclerosis Multiple Sclerosis (MS) In multiple sclerosis, patches of myelin (the substance that covers most nerve fibers) and underlying nerve fibers in the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord are damaged or destroyed. The cause... read more , and Behçet disease Behçet Disease Behçet disease is chronic blood vessel inflammation (vasculitis) that can cause painful mouth and genital sores, skin lesions, and eye problems. The joints, nervous system, and digestive tract... read more 
.
Diagnosis
A doctor's evaluation
Genetic testing
A doctor usually bases the diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever on typical symptoms. However, the abdominal pain of familial Mediterranean fever is virtually indistinguishable from that of other abdominal emergencies, particularly a ruptured appendix. Thus, some people with this disorder have urgent surgery before the correct diagnosis is made.
No routine laboratory test or imaging test is by itself diagnostic, but such tests can be useful in excluding other disorders. Blood tests can identify the abnormal gene that causes this disorder and can thus sometimes help with the diagnosis. Because some people with typical familial Mediterranean fever have only one rather than two copies of the gene or occasionally have no detectable mutations in the gene, genetic test results may be negative. In these cases, people should receive genetic counseling and care from specialists who are experienced with familial Mediterranean fever.
Prevention and Treatment
Colchicine
Taking colchicine daily by mouth eliminates or greatly reduces the number of painful attacks in about 85% of people. Also, it virtually eliminates the risk of kidney failure due to amyloidosis. In pregnant women, colchicine helps prevent attacks that might lead to a miscarriage. If people have infrequent attacks that begin slowly, they can wait until symptoms start before they take colchicine, but they must then take it promptly.
If colchicine is ineffective, other drugs such as canakinumab, anakinra, or rilonacept, injected under the skin, may help. These drugs modify how the immune system functions and thus help reduce inflammation.
Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be given to relieve pain and fever.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
| Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
|---|---|
colchicine |
ColciGel, Colcrys , GLOPERBA, LODOCO, MITIGARE |
canakinumab |
Ilaris |
anakinra |
Kineret |
rilonacept |
Arcalyst |
ibuprofen |
Advil, Advil Children's, Advil Children's Fever, Advil Infants', Advil Junior Strength, Advil Migraine, Caldolor, Children's Ibuprofen, ElixSure IB, Genpril , Ibren , IBU, Midol, Midol Cramps and Body Aches, Motrin, Motrin Children's, Motrin IB, Motrin Infants', Motrin Junior Strength, Motrin Migraine Pain, PediaCare Children's Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer IB, PediaCare Infants' Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer IB, Samson-8 |
acetaminophen |
7T Gummy ES, Acephen, Aceta, Actamin, Adult Pain Relief, Anacin Aspirin Free, Apra, Children's Acetaminophen, Children's Pain & Fever , Comtrex Sore Throat Relief, ED-APAP, ElixSure Fever/Pain, Feverall, Genapap, Genebs, Goody's Back & Body Pain, Infantaire, Infants' Acetaminophen, LIQUID PAIN RELIEF, Little Fevers, Little Remedies Infant Fever + Pain Reliever, Mapap, Mapap Arthritis Pain, Mapap Infants, Mapap Junior, M-PAP, Nortemp, Ofirmev, Pain & Fever , Pain and Fever , PAIN RELIEF , PAIN RELIEF Extra Strength, Panadol, PediaCare Children's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever, PediaCare Children's Smooth Metls Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever, PediaCare Infant's Fever Reducer/Pain Reliever, Pediaphen, PHARBETOL, Plus PHARMA, Q-Pap, Q-Pap Extra Strength, Silapap, Triaminic Fever Reducer and Pain Reliever, Triaminic Infant Fever Reducer and Pain Reliever, Tylenol, Tylenol 8 Hour, Tylenol 8 Hour Arthritis Pain, Tylenol 8 Hour Muscle Aches & Pain, Tylenol Arthritis Pain, Tylenol Children's, Tylenol Children's Pain+Fever, Tylenol CrushableTablet, Tylenol Extra Strength, Tylenol Infants', Tylenol Infants Pain + Fever, Tylenol Junior Strength, Tylenol Pain + Fever, Tylenol Regular Strength, Tylenol Sore Throat, XS No Aspirin, XS Pain Reliever |
