Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)
also see Fever, Periodic

A periodic fever syndrome. Attacks occur at irregular intervals; resolve in 12-72 hours. Recurrent self-limiting attacks of:

• fever
• lower extremity rash
• serositis
  • acute severe peritonitis, often mimicking a surgical abdomen
  • pleuritis
  • monoarthritis

Who? Common among Sephardic Jews

Why? Due to failure to degrade C5a. Autosomal recessive trait

Labs? WBC, ESR, CRP, fibrinogen elevated during attack

Tx? Regular treatment with colchicine to prevent attacks and secondary amyloidosis

CHLA Board Review 2005