Familial mediterranean fever in an Iranian patient with behcet disease

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Genetics
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common hereditary autoinflammatory syndrome.
• FMF presents with recurrent fever, serositis, and arthralgia, and can lead to AA amyloidosis.
• An increased prevalence of vasculitis and associations with Behcet disease (BD) have been reported in FMF patients.

Observation:

• A 27-year-old patient diagnosed with Behcet disease presented with recurrent episodes of fever, arthralgia, and abdominal pain.
• Genetic analysis confirmed the co-occurrence of Familial Mediterranean fever in this patient.

Findings:

• The clinical presentation of fever, arthralgia, and abdominal pain in a patient with Behcet disease was consistent with Familial Mediterranean fever.
• Genetic confirmation established the diagnosis of FMF in a patient with established Behcet disease.

Implications:

• Familial Mediterranean fever should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Behcet disease patients presenting with characteristic FMF symptoms.
• Recognizing co-existing FMF in BD patients is crucial for appropriate management and preventing complications like amyloidosis.