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[Recurrent pericardial effusion due to familiar Mediterranean fever]

José Halabe-Cherem1, Alicia Hamui-Sutton, Salomón Cohen-Cohen

  • 1Departamento de Medicina Interna, Centro Médico ABC, Distrito Federal, México. jhalabe@hotmail.com

Revista Medica Del Instituto Mexicano Del Seguro Social
|September 12, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Familial Mediterranean fever can cause pericarditis. Colchicine effectively treated pericarditis in three patients with this genetic inflammatory disease, even after other treatments failed.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Genetics
  • Rheumatology

Background:

  • Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, often linked to infections or systemic diseases.
  • Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a genetic autoinflammatory disorder associated with recurrent fever and serositis, including pleuritis and abdominal pain.
  • FMF can manifest with pericarditis, a less common but serious complication.

Observation:

  • This study observed three patients with pericarditis associated with familial Mediterranean fever.
  • Two patients underwent pericardiectomy, revealing nonspecific inflammatory changes on biopsy.
  • Diagnosis was confirmed via genetic markers, echocardiogram, and electrocardiogram (EKG).

Findings:

  • Standard treatments like antivirals and antibiotics were ineffective in resolving pericarditis in these patients.
  • Subsequent treatment with colchicine demonstrated significant positive results.
  • Colchicine proved effective in managing pericarditis in patients with FMF.

Implications:

  • Colchicine may be a crucial therapeutic option for pericarditis in familial Mediterranean fever patients.
  • Early diagnosis and genetic confirmation of FMF are important for appropriate pericarditis management.
  • This highlights the role of genetic factors in complex inflammatory conditions like pericarditis.

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