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Protracted febrile myalgia syndrome in familial Mediterranean fever

Kazim Senel1, Meltem Alkan Melikoglu, Tuba Baykal

  • 1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey. kazimsenel@gmail.com

Modern Rheumatology
|March 31, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a genetic disorder causing recurrent fevers and inflammation. This case highlights protracted febrile myalgia syndrome (PFMS) as a rare but severe FMF manifestation.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Immunology
  • Rheumatology and Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive multisystemic inflammatory disorder.
  • It predominantly affects individuals of Mediterranean descent, including Jewish, Turkish, Armenian, and Arabic populations.
  • Classic FMF symptoms include recurrent fever and polyserositis.

Observation:

  • Recent FMF clinical features encompass severe myalgia, scrotal swelling, cardiac issues, and protracted febrile myalgia syndrome (PFMS).
  • PFMS, a rare FMF complication, presents with debilitating extremity myalgia and high fever.
  • This case details an FMF patient exhibiting PFMS, an uncommon and severe manifestation.

Findings:

  • The patient presented with FMF and the uncommon manifestation of PFMS.
  • PFMS symptoms included severe myalgia, fever, and potential mimicry of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).

Implications:

  • This case underscores the expanded clinical spectrum of FMF.
  • Recognizing PFMS in FMF patients is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.
  • Further research may elucidate the mechanisms underlying PFMS in FMF.

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