Familial mediterranean fever (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Familial mediterranean fever|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Familial mediterranean fever|here]]''' | ||
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Familial Mediterranean fever is a disorder passed down through families (inherited), which involves repeated fevers and inflammation that often affects the lining of the [[abdomen]], [[chest]], or joints. | [[Familial Mediterranean fever]] is a [[disorder]] passed down through families (inherited), which involves repeated [[fevers]] and [[inflammation]] that often affects the lining of the [[abdomen]], [[chest]], or [[joints]]. | ||
==What are the symptoms?== | ==What are the symptoms?== | ||
Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 5 and 15. Inflammation in the lining of the [[abdominal cavity]], [[chest cavity]], [[skin]], or [[joints]] occurs, along with high fevers that usually peak in 12 to 24 hours. Attacks may vary in severity of symptoms. Patients are usually symptom-free between attacks. | [[Symptoms]] usually begin between the ages of 5 and 15. [[Inflammation]] in the lining of the [[abdominal cavity]], [[chest cavity]], [[skin]], or [[joints]] occurs, along with high [[fevers]] that usually peak in 12 to 24 hours. Attacks may vary in severity of [[symptoms]]. Patients are usually [[symptom]]-free between attacks. | ||
Symptoms may include repeated episodes of: | [[Symptoms]] may include repeated episodes of: | ||
*[[Abdominal pain]] | *[[Abdominal pain]] | ||
*[[Chest pain]] that is sharp and gets worse when taking a breath | *[[Chest pain]] that is sharp and gets worse when taking a breath | ||
*[[Fever]] or alternating chills and fever | *[[Fever]] or alternating [[chills]] and [[fever]] | ||
*[[Joint pain]] | *[[Joint pain]] | ||
*Skin lesions that are red and swollen and range from 5 - 20 cm in diameter | *[[Skin lesions]] that are red and swollen and range from 5 - 20 cm in diameter | ||
==What are the causes?== | ==What are the causes?== | ||
Familial Mediterranean fever is most often caused by a mutation in the MEFV gene. This gene creates proteins involved in inflammation. | [[Familial Mediterranean fever]] is most often [[Causes|caused]] by a [[mutation]] in the [[MEFV]] [[gene]]. This [[gene]] creates [[proteins]] involved in [[inflammation]]. | ||
The condition usually affects people of Mediterranean ancestry, especially non-Ashkenazi (Sephardic) Jews, Armenians, and Arabs, although people from other ethnic groups may also be affected. | The [[condition]] usually affects people of Mediterranean ancestry, especially non-Ashkenazi (Sephardic) Jews, Armenians, and Arabs, although people from other [[Ethnic group|ethnic]] groups may also be affected. | ||
This disease is very rare. Risk factors include a family history of familial Mediterranean fever or having Mediterranean ancestry. | This [[disease]] is very rare. [[Risk factor|Risk factors]] include a [[family history]] of [[Familial mediterranean fever|familial Mediterranean fever]] or having Mediterranean ancestry. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
There is no specific test to diagnose this disease. If genetic testing shows you have the mutation known to be associated with this condition, and your symptoms match a typical pattern, the diagnosis is nearly certain. Ruling out other possible diseases using laboratory tests or x-rays will help determine the diagnosis. | There is no specific test to [[diagnose]] this [[disease]]. If [[genetic testing]] shows you have the [[mutation]] known to be associated with this [[condition]], and your [[symptoms]] match a typical pattern, the [[diagnosis]] is nearly certain. Ruling out other possible diseases using [[laboratory]] tests or [[x-rays]] will help determine the [[diagnosis]]. | ||
Certain blood tests may be higher than normal when done during an attack. Tests may include: | Certain [[blood]] tests may be higher than normal when done during an attack. Tests may include: | ||
*Complete blood count ([[CBC]]) | *[[Complete blood count]] ([[CBC]]) | ||
*[[C-reactive protein]] | *[[C-reactive protein]] | ||
*Erythrocyte sedimentation rate ([[ESR]]) | *[[Erythrocyte sedimentation rate]] ([[ESR]]) | ||
*[[Fibrinogen]] test | *[[Fibrinogen]] test | ||
*White blood cell count | *[[White blood cell count]] | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ==When to seek urgent medical care?== | ||
Call your health care provider if you or your child develop symptoms of this condition. | Call your health care provider if you or your child develop [[symptoms]] of this [[condition]]. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
The goal of treatment for familial Mediterranean fever is to control symptoms. [[Colchicine]], a medicine that reduces inflammation, may help during an attack and may prevent further attacks. It can also help prevent a serious complication called systemic [[amyloidosis]]. | The goal of treatment for [[Familial mediterranean fever|familial Mediterranean fever]] is to control [[symptoms]]. [[Colchicine]], a medicine that reduces [[inflammation]], may help during an attack and may prevent further attacks. It can also help prevent a serious [[Complications|complication]] called systemic [[amyloidosis]]. | ||
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
There is no known cure for familial Mediterranean fever. Most people continue to have attacks, but the number and severity of attacks is different from person to person. | There is no known cure for [[Familial mediterranean fever|familial Mediterranean fever]]. Most people continue to have attacks, but the number and severity of attacks is different from person to person. | ||
==Possible complications== | ==Possible complications== | ||
A serious complication is [[amyloidosis]], a condition in which abnormal proteins build up in the organs and joints. | A serious [[complication]] is [[amyloidosis]], a [[condition]] in which abnormal [[proteins]] build up in the organs and [[joints]]. | ||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001402/ National Library of Medicine] | [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001402/ National Library of Medicine] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:17, 21 May 2019
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
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Familial Mediterranean Fever |
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Familial mediterranean fever On the Web |
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Directions to Hospitals Treating Familial mediterranean fever |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Familial mediterranean fever |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Familial Mediterranean fever is a disorder passed down through families (inherited), which involves repeated fevers and inflammation that often affects the lining of the abdomen, chest, or joints.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms usually begin between the ages of 5 and 15. Inflammation in the lining of the abdominal cavity, chest cavity, skin, or joints occurs, along with high fevers that usually peak in 12 to 24 hours. Attacks may vary in severity of symptoms. Patients are usually symptom-free between attacks.
Symptoms may include repeated episodes of:
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain that is sharp and gets worse when taking a breath
- Fever or alternating chills and fever
- Joint pain
- Skin lesions that are red and swollen and range from 5 - 20 cm in diameter
What are the causes?
Familial Mediterranean fever is most often caused by a mutation in the MEFV gene. This gene creates proteins involved in inflammation.
The condition usually affects people of Mediterranean ancestry, especially non-Ashkenazi (Sephardic) Jews, Armenians, and Arabs, although people from other ethnic groups may also be affected.
This disease is very rare. Risk factors include a family history of familial Mediterranean fever or having Mediterranean ancestry.
Diagnosis
There is no specific test to diagnose this disease. If genetic testing shows you have the mutation known to be associated with this condition, and your symptoms match a typical pattern, the diagnosis is nearly certain. Ruling out other possible diseases using laboratory tests or x-rays will help determine the diagnosis.
Certain blood tests may be higher than normal when done during an attack. Tests may include:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- C-reactive protein
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
- Fibrinogen test
- White blood cell count
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if you or your child develop symptoms of this condition.
Treatment options
The goal of treatment for familial Mediterranean fever is to control symptoms. Colchicine, a medicine that reduces inflammation, may help during an attack and may prevent further attacks. It can also help prevent a serious complication called systemic amyloidosis.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
There is no known cure for familial Mediterranean fever. Most people continue to have attacks, but the number and severity of attacks is different from person to person.
Possible complications
A serious complication is amyloidosis, a condition in which abnormal proteins build up in the organs and joints.