Description

FMF (Familial Mediterranean Fever)

What is Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)?

FMF is a genetic disease that progresses in
attacks. In other words, the patient has complaints for a certain period
of time and then these complaints regress automatically. Recurrent attacks
are mostly in the form of abdominal pain, chest pain and joint pain with
fever. Even less, it can give symptoms in the form of testicular pain,
calf pain, rash on the skin of the feet or legs. It is a genetic disease.

What is the incidence in our country?

Although it is seen in every region of our country, the
frequency of the disease is higher in Central Anatolia. One out of every 6
people carries the genetic disorder that causes this disease in
Turkey. 1-3 out of every 1000 people have FMF. Therefore, in regions
where the disease is common, genetic testing and genetic counseling are
mandatory before marriage. It is also recommended for those living in
other regions.

Is Familial Mediterranean Fever a Temporary Disease?

The disease is not a temporary disease; it is a chronic
(long-term) disease. Its treatment should be planned for
life. Although there is no cure for a short time, it has very satisfactory
treatment results.

The time between attacks is variable. For example,
there may be a period of 15 days between two previous attacks. Subsequent
attacks may occur 1-2 months later. The main feature of attacks is that
they occur at different times and unexpectedly.

In 70% of patients, symptoms appear in the first 10
years. In the first 20 years, 90% of the patients start. In other
words, most patients actually start in childhood. The onset of the disease
after the age of 40 is very rare.

How Is Familial Mediterranean Fever Diagnosed?

Familial Mediterranean Fever does not have a definitive
diagnostic laboratory finding. Laboratory tests such as Fibrinogen and
Amyloid A, which are also performed in our hospital during an attack, can be
detected as abnormal. However, none of them are diagnostic. In the
diagnosis, it is very important that the disease progresses in attacks and the
characteristics of the attacks are analyzed well. Since the clinical
findings seen in Familial Mediterranean Fever can be seen in many diseases, the
diagnosis of the disease can often be delayed. Genetic analysis may not be
required in patients with typical findings. But the definitive diagnostic
test is genetic analysis. The subject that should not be
forgotten; Known genetic tests are not always positive in all patients
diagnosed with FMF, and not all patients with positive genetic tests are FMF
patients.

What Is Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) Treatment and What Happens If It Is Not Treated?

The treatment of the disease is with a drug called
Colchicine. When used in sufficient dosage, 65% of the patients recover
completely. The severity and frequency of attacks decrease in 30% of
patients. The risk of developing Amyloidosis (a disease that causes kidney
and other organ dysfunction), which is an undesirable finding of Familial
Mediterranean Fever, is very low in patients who have used an adequate dose of
colchicine since the beginning of the disease. Therefore, the drug should
be used regularly.