BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuFamilial Mediterranean feverFamilial paroxysmal polyserositis; Periodic peritonitis; Recurrent polyserositis; Benign paroxysmal peritonitis; Periodic disease; Periodic fever; FMFFamilial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a rare disorder that may be passed down through families (inherited). It involves repeated fevers and inflammation that often affects the lining of the abdomen, chest, or joints. Causes FMF is most often caused by a variation in a gene named MEFV. This gene creates a protein involved in regulating inflammation. The disease usually appears only in people who received two copies of the variant gene, one from each parent. This is called autosomal recessive inheritance or an autosomal recessive condition.FMF most often affects people of Mediterranean ancestry. These include non-Ashkenazi (Sephardic) Jews, Armenians, and Arabs. People from other ethnic groups can also be affected. Symptoms Symptoms usually begin between ages 5 and 15. Inflammation in the lining of the abdominal cavity, chest cavity, skin, or joints occurs along with high fevers that usually peak in 12 to 24 hours. Attacks may vary in severity of symptoms. People are usually symptom-free between attacks.Symptoms may include repeated episodes of:Abdominal pain Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest pain that is sharp and gets worse when taking a breath Fever or alternating chills and fever Joint pain Skin sores (lesions) that are red and swollen and range from 5 to 20 centimeters (cm) in diameter Exams and Tests If genetic testing shows that you have two pathogenic variants and your symptoms match the typical pattern, the diagnosis is nearly certain. Lab tests and x-rays or other imaging tests are used to check for other possible diseases to help confirm the diagnosis.x-raysX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Levels of certain blood tests may be higher than normal when done during an attack. Tests may include:Complete blood count (CBC) that includes white blood cell count Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article C-reactive protein (CRP) to check for inflammation C-reactive proteinC-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver. The level of CRP rises when there is inflammation in the body. It is one of a group of proteins,...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to check for inflammation Erythrocyte sedimentation rateESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is commonly called a "sed rate. "It is a test that indirectly measures the level of certain protei...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fibrinogen test to check blood clottingFibrinogen testFibrinogen is a protein produced by the liver. This protein helps stop bleeding by helping blood clots to form. A blood test can be done to tell ho...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The goal of treatment for FMF is to regulate symptoms. Colchicine, a medicine that reduces inflammation, may help during an attack and may prevent further attacks. It can also help prevent a serious complication called systemic amyloidosis, which is common in people with FMF. AmyloidosisPrimary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used to treat fever and pain. Outlook (Prognosis) There is no known cure for FMF. Most people continue to have attacks, but the number and severity of attacks is different from person to person. Possible Complications Amyloidosis may lead to kidney damage or not being able to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption). Fertility problems in women and men and arthritis are also complications. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you or your child develops symptoms of this condition.Open ReferencesReferencesAssady S, Ramadan R, Frishberg Y. Near and middle east. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 78.Kastner DL. The systemic autoinflammatory diseases. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 240.Verbsky JW. Hereditary periodic fever syndromes and other systemic autoinflammatory diseases. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 204.AllVideoImagesTogTemperature measurement - illustration A thermometer is a useful aid used to measure body temperature.Temperature measurementillustrationTemperature measurement - illustration A thermometer is a useful aid used to measure body temperature.Temperature measurementillustrationRelated Information Primary amyloidosis(Condition) Review Date: 8/18/2024 Reviewed By: Anna C. Edens Hurst, MD, MS, Associate Professor in Medical Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Familial Mediterranean feverFamilial paroxysmal polyserositis; Periodic peritonitis; Recurrent polyserositis; Benign paroxysmal peritonitis; Periodic disease; Periodic fever; FMFFamilial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a rare disorder that may be passed down through families (inherited). It involves repeated fevers and inflammation that often affects the lining of the abdomen, chest, or joints. Causes FMF is most often caused by a variation in a gene named MEFV. This gene creates a protein involved in regulating inflammation. The disease usually appears only in people who received two copies of the variant gene, one from each parent. This is called autosomal recessive inheritance or an autosomal recessive condition.FMF most often affects people of Mediterranean ancestry. These include non-Ashkenazi (Sephardic) Jews, Armenians, and Arabs. People from other ethnic groups can also be affected. Symptoms Symptoms usually begin between ages 5 and 15. Inflammation in the lining of the abdominal cavity, chest cavity, skin, or joints occurs along with high fevers that usually peak in 12 to 24 hours. Attacks may vary in severity of symptoms. People are usually symptom-free between attacks.Symptoms may include repeated episodes of:Abdominal pain Abdominal painAbdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Chest pain that is sharp and gets worse when taking a breath Fever or alternating chills and fever Joint pain Skin sores (lesions) that are red and swollen and range from 5 to 20 centimeters (cm) in diameter Exams and Tests If genetic testing shows that you have two pathogenic variants and your symptoms match the typical pattern, the diagnosis is nearly certain. Lab tests and x-rays or other imaging tests are used to check for other possible diseases to help confirm the diagnosis.x-raysX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Levels of certain blood tests may be higher than normal when done during an attack. Tests may include:Complete blood count (CBC) that includes white blood cell count Complete blood countA complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article C-reactive protein (CRP) to check for inflammation C-reactive proteinC-reactive protein (CRP) is produced by the liver. The level of CRP rises when there is inflammation in the body. It is one of a group of proteins,...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to check for inflammation Erythrocyte sedimentation rateESR stands for erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is commonly called a "sed rate. "It is a test that indirectly measures the level of certain protei...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Fibrinogen test to check blood clottingFibrinogen testFibrinogen is a protein produced by the liver. This protein helps stop bleeding by helping blood clots to form. A blood test can be done to tell ho...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment The goal of treatment for FMF is to regulate symptoms. Colchicine, a medicine that reduces inflammation, may help during an attack and may prevent further attacks. It can also help prevent a serious complication called systemic amyloidosis, which is common in people with FMF. AmyloidosisPrimary amyloidosis is a rare disorder in which abnormal proteins build up in tissues and organs. Clumps of the abnormal proteins are called amyloid...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be used to treat fever and pain. Outlook (Prognosis) There is no known cure for FMF. Most people continue to have attacks, but the number and severity of attacks is different from person to person. Possible Complications Amyloidosis may lead to kidney damage or not being able to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption). Fertility problems in women and men and arthritis are also complications. When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if you or your child develops symptoms of this condition.Open ReferencesReferencesAssady S, Ramadan R, Frishberg Y. Near and middle east. In: Yu ASL, Chertow GM, Luyckx VA, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Taal MW, eds. Brenner and Rector's The Kidney. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 78.Kastner DL. The systemic autoinflammatory diseases. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 240.Verbsky JW. Hereditary periodic fever syndromes and other systemic autoinflammatory diseases. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 204.
