Familial Mediterranean fever

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most frequent periodic syndrome characterized by recurrent attacks of polyserositis. Fever, abdominal pain, chest pain, and arthritis/arthralgia are the leading symptoms. It is an autosomal recessive disorder, which primarily affects Jewish, Armenian, Turkish, and Arab populations. The FMF gene (MEFV) has recently been cloned to chromosome 16p, which encodes pyrin. Genotype-phenotype correlation is not well established. Amyloidosis is the most severe complication of FMF. The SAA1-alpha/alpha genotype was associated with an increased risk of amyloidosis. Colchicine treatment not only decreases the frequency and severity of attacks, but also prevents amyloidosis. Certain vasculitides, namely Henoch-Schonlein purpura and polyarteritis nodosa, are more frequent among FMF patients.