Familial Mediterranean Fever
Familial Mediterranean Fever is an inherited rheumatic
disease that occurs most commonly in people of non-Ashkenazi Jewish, Armenian,
Arab and Turkish Background living in the United States and abroad.
· Incidence
and Carriers
· Symptoms
· Treatment
· Resources
and More
Incidence and Carriers
As many as one in 200 people in these populations have the disease and as many
as one-in-five to one-in-seven carry the mutated Familial Mediterranean Fever
gene.
A person must inherit two mutated copies of the gene, one from each parent to
get Familial Mediterranean Fever.
Symptoms
Individuals with Familial Mediterranean Fever suffer from the following:
· Recurring bouts of fever, most commonly with severe abdominal pain due to
inflammation of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis)
· Arthritis (painful, swollen joints)
· Chest Pain from inflammation of the lung cavity (pleurisy)
· Skin Rashes.
· Some affected individuals develop amyloidosis- a potentially deadly buildup
of protein in vital organs such as the kidneys.
In most people the symptoms begin between the ages of 5 to 15, although it has
started as late in life as age 52. The duration and frequency of attacks vary
greatly in the same patient, and there is no set rhythm or periodicity to them.
An acute episode usually lasts 24 to 48 hours, but some may last for as long
as 10 days. The attacks tend to occur every 2 to 4 weeks, but may be as infrequent
as annually. The severity of the attacks may decrease with age. The development
of amyloidosis can also reduce the frequency of attacks.
Treatment
The only treatment for Familial Mediterranean Fever is a drug called Colchicines
which patients have to take every day for their life. This medication has the
side effects such as diarrhea and abdominal cramps.
More
Information and Resources
Drs. Avi Livneh and Deborah Zemer
Heller Institute for Medical Research
Sheba Medical Center
Tel Hashomer, Israel
FAX #: 011 972 3 530 7002
Center for the Study and Treatment of Jewish Genetic
Diseases
at UPMC Health Systems
Contact: Erin O’Rourke, M.S.
Toll Free 800-334-7980
Email: eorourke@helix.hgen.pitt.edu
National Foundation for Jewish Genetic Diseases Inc.
250 Park Avenue, Suite 1000
New York, NY 10017
Telephone 212-371-1030