Recurrent polyserositis (familial Mediterranean fever) in a Japanese

A 36-year-old male of pure Japanese ancestry presented with a classical 20-year history of Recurrent Polyserositis manifested by self-limited attacks of fever plus pleuritis, peritonitis or arthritis. These attacks were completely suppressed by daily prophylactic colchicine, but recurred when the drug was briefly discontinued. For the past 10 years he has been on 1.2 mg of colchicine daily and has had no further febrile attacks. Although several cases of periodic or cyclic febrile disorders in patients of Japanese ancestry have been cited in the literature, the patient described here appears to satisfy the required criteria for a diagnosis of Recurrent Polyserositis in a Japanese.