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Published on: September 20, 2018

Late presentation of familial mediterranean fever: a case report

Limaris Russe Gomez1, Robert Hunter Mellado

  • 1Internal Medicine Department, Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Bayamón, PR 00960-6032.

Boletin De La Asociacion Medica De Puerto Rico
|July 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a genetic disorder causing recurrent fevers. This case highlights a late-onset FMF diagnosis in a 68-year-old woman, successfully treated with colchicine.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics and Immunology
  • Rheumatology and Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive inflammatory disorder.
  • It typically affects individuals of Mediterranean descent, presenting with recurrent fevers and polyserositis.
  • The onset is usually in early childhood, with 90% of patients experiencing symptoms by age 20.

Observation:

  • A 68-year-old woman presented with a prolonged nine-month history of unexplained fevers.
  • This presentation is atypical for Familial Mediterranean Fever, which commonly manifests much earlier in life.

Findings:

  • The patient's prolonged fever episode was ultimately diagnosed as Familial Mediterranean Fever.
  • Diagnostic confirmation was supported by the patient's positive response to colchicine treatment.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the possibility of late-onset Familial Mediterranean Fever, challenging typical diagnostic timelines.
  • It emphasizes the importance of considering FMF in older adults presenting with prolonged, unexplained fevers.
  • Successful colchicine therapy in this case reinforces its efficacy as a treatment for FMF, regardless of disease onset age.

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