Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Immune Disorders > Familial Mediterranean Fever
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a hereditary inflammatory disorder that affects groups of patients originating from around the Mediterranean Sea (hence its name). It is prominently present in the Armenian people (up to 1 in 7 affected), Sephardi Jews (and, to a much lesser extent, Ashkenazi Jews), people from Turkey, the Arab countries and Lebanon.Livneh A, Langevitz P. Diagnostic and treatment concerns in familial Mediterranean fever. Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2000;14(3):477-98. PMID 10985982.
Clinical symptoms
Attacks
There are seven types of attacks. 90% of all patients have their first attack before they are 20 years old. All develop over 2-4 hours and last anytime between 6 hours and 4 days. Most attacks involve fever:- Abdominal attacks, featuring abdominal pain affecting the whole abdomen with all signs of acute abdomen (e.g. appendicitis). They occur in 95% of all patients and may lead to unnecessary laparotomy. Incomplete attacks, with local tenderness and normal blood tests, have been reported.
- Joint attacks, occurring in large joints, mainly of the legs. Usually, only one joint is affected. 75% of all FMF patients experience joint attacks.
- Chest attacks with pleuritis (inflammation of the pleural lining) and pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium). Pleuritis occurs in 40%, but pericarditis is rare.
- Scrotal attacks due to inflammation of the tunica vaginalis. This occurs in up to 5% and may be mistaken for acute scrotum (i.e. testicular torsion)
- Myalgia (rare in isolation)
- Erysipeloid (a skin reaction on the legs, rare in isolation)
- Fever without any symptoms (25%)
Complications
AA-amyloidosis with renal failure is a complication and may develop without overt crises. AA (amyloid protein) is produced in very large quantities during attacks and at a low rate between them, and accumulates mainly in the kidney, as well as the heart, spleen, gastrointestinal tract and the thyroid. More on [ Familial Mediterranean fever ]
Int Med: Heart rate variability in familial Mediterranean fever: Rheumatology International http://url4.eu/hkG7
MDLinx (Sandeep Pulim MD) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:06:04 -0000
Int Med: Heart rate variability in familial Mediterranean fever: Rheumatology International http://url4.eu/hkG7
Rheum: Heart rate variability in familial Mediterranean fever: Rheumatology International http://url4.eu/hjQ8
MDLinx (Sandeep Pulim MD) Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:24:25 -0000
Rheum: Heart rate variability in familial Mediterranean fever: Rheumatology International http://url4.eu/hjQ8
Colcrys, colchicines, by Mutual Pharmaceuticals for #gout and #familial #Mediterranean #fever. http://ow.ly/zh9l
CenterWatch (CenterWatch) Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:35:27 -0000
Colcrys, colchicines, by Mutual Pharmaceuticals for #gout and #familial #Mediterranean #fever. http://ow.ly/zh9l
See drug info. for Colcrys, recently approved by the U.S FDA for #gout flares & #familial #Mediterranean #fever. http://ow.ly/yWRe
CenterWatch (CenterWatch) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:25:11 -0000
See drug info. for Colcrys, recently approved by the U.S FDA for #gout flares & #familial #Mediterranean #fever. http://ow.ly/yWRe
Diagnosis of Familial Mediterranean Fever - Explains the Molecular Genetics Method used in the diagnosis.
Jewish Genetic Disorders (MazorNet) - Overview of Familial Mediterranean Fever, screening and testing information. Support and resources.
Meta Description: [ Familial Mediterranean Fever: Overview, Screening and Testing information, Support Resources ]
National Organization for Rare Disorders: Mediterranean Fever - Includes synonyms and abstract.
Meta Description: [ National Organization for Rare Disorders is dedicated to helping people with rare, orphan diseases. Rarediseases.org contains information on the prevention, treatment and cure of rare diseases. ]
Scientists Identify Gene for Familial Mediterranean Fever - An article covering the discovery of the gene causing the disease.
The News Release of the National Institute of Health About the Mediterranean Fever - Offers information about the disease.
| Nostalgic Box | |
| Next Video | |
