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Sep 30, 2010 · Characterised by recurrent attacks of fever and systemic inflammation, typically lasting 24-72 hours and presenting in childhood. Rare manifestations include chronic arthritis, spondyloarthropathy, myopathies, and protracted febrile myalgia.
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Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF; phenotype Mendelian...
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Signs and symptoms of familial Mediterranean fever usually begin during childhood. They occur in bouts called attacks that last 1-3 days. Arthritic attacks may last for weeks or months.
Signs and symptoms of FMF attacks vary, but can include:
•Fever
•Abdominal pain
•Chest pain, which can make it hard to breathe deeply
•Painful, swollen joints, usually in the knees, ankles and hips
See your health care provider if you or your child has a sudden fever accompanied by pain in the abdomen, chest and joints.
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Familial Mediterranean fever is caused by a gene change (mutation) that's passed from parents to children. The gene change affects the function of an immune system protein called pyrin, causing problems in regulating inflammation in the body.
In people with FMF, change occurs in a gene called MEFV. Many different changes in MEFV are linked to FMF. Some changes may cause very severe cases, while others may result in milder signs and symptoms.
Factors that may increase the risk of familial Mediterranean fever include:
•Family history of the disorder. If you have a family history of FMF, you have a higher risk of the disorder.
Complications can occur if familial Mediterranean fever isn't treated. Inflammation can lead to complications such as:
•Amyloidosis. During attacks of FMF, your body may produce a protein called amyloid A, not typically found in the body. Buildup of this protein causes inflammation, which can cause organ damage.
•Kidney damage. Amyloidosis can damage the kidneys, causing nephrotic syndrome. Nephrotic syndrome occurs when your kidneys' filtering systems (glomeruli) are damaged. People with nephrotic syndrome may lose large amounts of protein in their urine. Nephrotic syndrome can lead to blood clots in your kidneys (renal vein thrombosis) or kidney failure.
•Joint pain. Arthritis is common in people with FMF. The most commonly affected joints are the knees, ankles and hips.
•Infertility. Untreated inflammation caused by FMF may affect the reproductive organs, causing infertility.
•Other complications. These can include inflammation in the heart, lungs, spleen, brain and superficial veins.
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Familial Mediterranean fever is an inherited autoinflammatory syndrome characterised by recurrent short episodes of high fever associated with abdominal pain, inflammation of joints and other body sites and skin rash. If untreated, amyloidosis commonly develops and may have a fatal outcome.
Apr 25, 2024 · Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited autoinflammatory disease characterized by recurrent episodes (attacks) of fever and acute inflammation of the membranes lining the abdomen, joints and lungs.
Familial Mediterranean fever is an inherited condition characterized by recurrent episodes of painful inflammation in the abdomen, chest, or joints. Explore symptoms, inheritance, genetics of this condition.
For the criteria, typical attacks consist of all the following: recurrent (three or more episodes), febrile (rectal temperature of at least 38 °C), painful inflammation, and a short duration of 12 to 72 hours. [citation needed]
Symptoms and Signs of Familial Mediterranean Fever Onset of FMF is usually between the ages of 5 and 15 years but may be much later or earlier, even during infancy. Attacks have no regular pattern of recurrence.
