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Familial Mediterranean fever
Familial Mediterranean fever is an inherited condition characterized by recurrent episodes of painful inflammation in the abdomen, chest, or joints
Prevalence
1-5 / 10 000
33,100-165,500
US Estimated
51,350-256,750
Europe Estimated
Age of Onset
ICD-10
E85.0
Inheritance
Autosomal dominant
Autosomal recessive
Mitochondrial/Multigenic
X-linked dominant
X-linked recessive
5 Facts you should know
FACT
An inherited condition characterized by recurrent episodes of painful inflammation in the abdomen, chest, or joints
FACT
While all ethnic groups are susceptible to FMF, it usually occurs in people of Mediterranean origin
FACT
Ninety percent of all patients have their first attack before they are 18 years old
FACT
Attacks develop over 2–4 hours and last anywhere from 6 hours to 4 days
FACT
Amyloid A protein is produced in very large quantities during attacks, and at a low rate between attacks, and accumulates mainly in the kidney
Interest over time
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Common signs & symptoms
Abdominal pain
Arthralgia
Constipation
Fever
Myalgia
Nausea and vomiting
Current treatments
The goal of treatment for familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is to control symptoms because there is no cure for the condition.
Treatment of an acute episode may include:
Intravenous saline
for hydration
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
for fever and inflammatory episodes
NSAIDs, paracetamol or dipyrone
for pain relief
Routine treatment of end-stage renal disease
(kidney failure), including renal transplantation