Familial Mediterranean fever

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited multisystem disease manifested by painful, febrile attacks affecting the chest, abdomen, joints, and skin. No simple studies confirm the presence of FMF, contributing to the difficulty in diagnosis. A 10-year-old boy initially presented with a diffuse rash and complaints of bilateral joint pain of the hips, knees, and ankles and pain of the right shoulder. The child responded to daily naproxen. One year later, he continued to complain of hip, knee, ankle, and bilateral wrist pain. He also reported mild to moderate recurrent abdominal discomfort. Omeprazole provided intermittent relief. The patient continued to experience episodes of joint and abdominal pain. Two and a half years after he first presented, FMF was considered. In the second case, a 51-year-old man presented to the emergency department with complaints of fever, cough, and abdominal and joint pain. Fever, joint pain, and swelling decreased during the next few days. The patient was maintained on colchicine, with complete resolution of joint pain complaints during the next few days. Colchicine, 1 to 2 mg per day taken continuously during flare and quiescent periods, is the treatment of choice for FMF. Colchicine reduced the severity and frequency of attacks and may also delay or prevent secondary amyloidosis.