3. Familial Mediterranean Fever

Familial Mediterranean Fever

This PatientPlus article is written for healthcare professionals so the language may be more technical than the condition leaflets. You may find the abbreviations list helpful.

Synonyms: periodic disease, recurrent polyserositis

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most frequent of a group of diseases known as hereditary periodic fever syndromes.[1]

It is an autosomal recessive condition, more common in people of Mediterranean descent, and causes short, recurrent episodes of:

  • Associated with mutations in the MEFV (Mediterranean fever) gene located on chromosome 16.
  • The MEFV gene codes for a protein called pyrin (or marenostrin). Pyrin normally blunts neutrophil-mediated inflammation but it is defective in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).[2] This can therefore lead to uninhibited episodes of inflammation, in the pleura, peritoneum and joints, that are usually associated with fever.[3]
  • The episodes of inflammation are thought to result in excess production of amyloid A and its deposition in the kidneys in people with specific MEFV haplotypes.[3]

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  • Specific ethnic groups have an increased prevalence:[3]
    • Ashkenazi Jewish people (descended from Eastern European Jewish people) - 1 case per 73,000.
    • Sephardic Jewish people (descended from Jewish people expelled from Spain to North Africa and other Middle Eastern Jewish people) - 1 case per 250-1,000.
    • Armenians - 1 case per 500.
    • Turkish people - 1 case per 1,000 (figure only from one study).
    • Arabic people - 1 case per 2,600 (figure only from one study).
  • Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is not restricted to these ethnic groups.
  • Male-to-female ratio is 1.5-2:1.[3]
  • The majority present in the first decade of life and only 1% present after age 40.
  • Episodes usually last 48-96 hours (peaking around 12 hours) and can include:
    • Fever - can be as high as 40°C; may be the only symptom/sign.
    • Abdominal pain with signs of peritonitis - pain can originate in one area and then spread over the whole abdomen; may be mistaken for appendicitis, cholecystitis or renal colic; there may be associated constipation followed by diarrhoea; vomiting can occur.
    • Pleuritic chest pain - occurs in >50%; may be associated with an effusion.
    • Pericarditis.
    • Joint pain - knees, ankles and wrists are most commonly affected; small joint involvement is rare; joint pain can last longer than abdominal pain; joints are normal between attacks
    • Erysipelas-like rash - occurs in 10-20% of cases; is usually below the knees.
    • Myalgia.
    • Pelvic pain - in females; due to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
    • Scrotal pain - in males; due to inflammation of the tunica vaginalis.[3]
    • Vasculitis - Henoch-Schönlein purpura,[5] polyarteritis nodosa[6] and Behçet's disease are more common in those with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).[3]
  • Not all of the above features may be present during an attack.
  • Attacks can recur after several days or months but there may be years between attacks.
  • During an attack, expect the following to be raised:
    • Acute-phase proteins, including C-reactive protein and fibrinogen.
    • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).
    • White blood cell count
  • Look for proteinuria as a sign of amyloidosis; renal or rectal biopsy may be required to confirm diagnosis.
  • DNA samples can be analysed for known familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) gene (MEFV) mutations.
  • Synovial fluid will show an inflammatory picture.
  • Appropriate abdominal and chest and cardiac investigations should be carried out, depending on the symptoms and signs, to exclude other causes.
  • Colchicine is the mainstay of treatment - it prevents attacks and helps symptoms. It is also important in the prevention and treatment of amyloidosis.
  • Different ethnic groups seem to have different risks of developing amyloidosis (eg risk in Ashkenazi Jewish people is low) and so daily colchicine may be needed by some, while others may just need treatment at the onset of an attack.[3]
  • Interferon alfa and etanercept have been used as alternatives to colchicine if it is not tolerated/effective.[3]
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help arthritis.
  • Prednisolone may help severe myalgia.

This has greatly improved with the advent of colchicine and its role in the prevention of amyloidosis. However, strict compliance is needed.

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Further reading & references

  • Tunca M, Akar S, Onen F, et al; Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in Turkey: results of a nationwide multicenter study. Medicine (Baltimore). 2005 Jan;84(1):1-11.
  1. Grateau G; Clinical and genetic aspects of the hereditary periodic fever syndromes. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2004 Apr;43(4):410-5. Epub 2004 Feb 24.
  2. Bhat A, Naguwa SM, Gershwin ME; Genetics and new treatment modalities for familial Mediterranean fever. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2007 Sep;1110:201-8.
  3. Meyerhoff J, Mediterranean Fever, Familial, eMedicine, Nov 2009
  4. Familial Mediterranean Fever; FMF, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM)
  5. Gershoni-Baruch R, Broza Y, Brik R; Prevalence and significance of mutations in the familial Mediterranean fever gene in Henoch-Schonlein purpura. J Pediatr. 2003 Nov;143(5):658-61.
  6. Yalcinkaya F, Ozcakar ZB, Kasapcopur O, et al; Prevalence of the MEFV gene mutations in childhood polyarteritis nodosa. J Pediatr. 2007 Dec;151(6):675-8. Epub 2007 Aug 28.
  7. In Oxford Textbook of Medicine, 4th edition. Chapter 6.16
Original Author: Dr Michelle Wright Current Version:
Last Checked: 18/03/2011 Document ID: 2133  Version: 21 © EMIS

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.

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