Familial Mediterranean fever

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD)

Periodic peritonitis
Recurrent polyserositis
Benign paroxysmal peritonitis
Periodic disease
Familial paroxysmal polyserositis
Periodic fever

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Familial Mediterranean fever
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Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is an inherited disease, characterized by recurrent attacks of fever, inflammation of the abdominal lining (peritonitis), inflammation of the lining surrounding the lungs (pleurisy), painful, swollen joints (arthralgia and occasionally arthritis), and a characteristic ankle rash. This condition is also sometimes referred to as recurrent polyserositis or familial paroxysmal polyserositis.^[1]

FMF is considered a rare disease worldwide. However, it is very common in people of Sephardic (non-Ashkenazi) Jewish, Armenian, Arab and Turkish heritage. Among people with these backgrounds, about 1 in 200 has FMF. The availability of genetic testing has helped identify numerous cases among several additional populations with Mediterranean roots, including: Ashkenazi Jews, Italians, Greeks, Spaniards, and Cypriots, and occasional cases in a broad range of other ethnicities (Northern Europeans and Japanese). ^[1]

References

Learning about Familial Mediterranean Fever. NHGRI Web site. March 2008 Available at: http://www.genome.gov/12510679. Accessed December 9, 2008.

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Q&A	More Detailed Information	Support Groups	Clinical Trials & Research	Services	NLM Gateway

Questions & Answers (Found:3 Questions)

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More Detailed Information (Found: 11 Resources)
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- General
  - Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains a condition summary on Familial Mediterranean fever. Click on the link to go to GHR and review this summary.
    
    MedlinePlus, a Web site designed by the National Library of Medicine Web site to help you research your health questions, provides more information about this topic. Click on the link to view this information.
    
    The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) was established in 1988 as a national resource for molecular biology information. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
    
    The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has an information page on Familial Mediterranean Fever. To view the page, click on NHGRI.
    
    The National Human Genome Research Institute's (NHGRI) mission encompasses a broad range of studies aimed at understanding the structure and function of the human genome and its role in health and disease. Click on the link to view the information page on this topic.
    
    The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) offers printed materials on this condition. We recommend calling NIAMS toll-free at 877-226-4267 to request this information.
    
    The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a federation of more than 130 nonprofit voluntary health organizations serving people with rare disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
    
    The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) was established in 1988 as a national resource for molecular biology information. Click on the NCBI link to view information on this topic.
    
    The Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database contains genetics resources that discuss Familial Mediterranean fever. Click on the link to go to OMIM and review these resources.
    
    PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Familial Mediterranean fever. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.
- Management Guidelines
  - GeneReviews provides current, expert-authored, peer-reviewed, full-text articles describing the application of genetic testing to the diagnosis, management, and genetic counseling of patients with specific inherited conditions. Click on the link to view the article on this topic.
Support Groups (Found: 4 Resources)
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- Umbrella Organizations
  - Genetic Alliance
    4301 Connecticut Avenue NW
    Suite 404
    Washington, DC 20008-2369
    Telephone: 202-966-5557
    Fax: 202-966-8553
    E-mail: info@geneticalliance.org
    Web site: http://www.geneticalliance.org
    
    National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
    55 Kenosia Avenue
    PO Box 1968
    Danbury, CT 06813-1968
    Toll-free: 1-800-999-6673 (voicemail only)
    Telephone: 203-744-0100
    TTY: 203-797-9590
    Fax: 203-798-2291
    E-mail: orphan@rarediseases.org
    Web site: http://www.rarediseases.org/
- Live Chat
  - The National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD) has partnered with Inspire.com to launch an online community for people with rare diseases called The NORD Rare Disease Community. This community connects medical patients, family members, caregivers, and professionals. Click on The NORD Rare Disease Community to learn more.
    
    RareShare is an online social hub dedicated to patients, families and healthcare professionals affected by rare medical disorders. Click on RareShare to learn more.
Clinical Trials & Research (Found: 1 Resource)
Resources where you may find research studies and clinical trials
- - ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are studying or have studied Familial Mediterranean fever. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.
Services (Found: 2 Resources)
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- Testing
  - GeneTests lists laboratories offering clinical genetic testing for this condition. Clinical genetic tests are ordered to help diagnose a person or family and to aid in decisions regarding medical care or reproductive issues. Talk to your health care provider or a genetic professional to learn more about your testing options.
- Genetic Services
  - We recommend that you discuss this information and your concerns with a genetics professional. The following online resources can help you find a genetics professional in your community:
    
    * GeneClinics - A searchable directory of US and international genetics and prenatal diagnosis clinics. To locate genetics clinics in the United States, go to the following link and click on 'Clinic Directory' to find a genetic service close to you.
    
    * ResourceLink - A database of genetics counseling services, searchable by location, name, institution, type of practice, or specialty. Hosted by the National Society of Genetic Counselors.
NLM Gateway
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