Familial Mediterranean Fever

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Practice Essentials

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is also called recurrent polyserositis. The salient features of FMF include brief recurrent episodes of peritonitis, pleuritis, and arthritis, usually with accompanying fever. See Presentation. As the name indicates, FMF occurs within families and is much more common in individuals of Mediterranean descent than in persons of any other ethnicity.[1]

Genetic testing is now available for FMF. Testing for a limited number of genes may be appropriate in patients with a known ethnic background. See Workup.

Colchicine is extremely effective in preventing attacks of FMF and preventing the development of amyloidosis. Biologic agents (eg, anakinra, rilonacept, canakinumab) are used for second-line therapy. See Treatment and Medication.

Pathophysiology

Nonsense or missense mutations in the MEFV (Mediterranean fever) gene appear to cause the disease in many cases. MEFV produces a protein called pyrin (derived from the association with predominant fever); the protein is also called marenostrin (derived from the phrase "our sea," because of the Mediterranean heritage of most patients).

Pyrin is expressed mostly in neutrophils. To date, its main functions have been determined to involve the innate immune response, such as inflammasome assemblage and, as a part of the inflammasome, sensing intracellular danger signals, activating mediators of inflammation, and resolving inflammation by the autophagy of regulators of innate immunity.[2]

In patients with FMF, uninhibited pyrin activity results in uncontrolled production of interleukin-1 (IL-1), leading to episodes of inflammation (with accompanying fever) in the peritoneum, pleura, and joints; persistent subclinical inflammation is also common.[3, 4]

FMF attacks are also characterized by the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET), which are chromatin filaments ‘decorated’ with neutrophil granular and cytoplasmic proteins, including active IL-1β. NETs restrict their own generation by a negative feedback mechanism, which may help explain the self-limited nature of FMF attacks.[5, 6]

Presumably, the inflammatory episodes in persons with FMF lead to the excess production of amyloid A protein in the acute phase and reactant serum amyloid A with subsequent deposition in the kidneys. However, only patients with specific MEFV haplotypes develop amyloidosis.[7]

Epidemiology

Frequency

International

The frequency of FMF in any location depends on the ethnic background of the population. To survive ethnic and religious persecution, many Mediterranean families converted to other religions or intermarried members of other ethnic groups, thus carrying the MEFV gene with them.

In Ashkenazi Jewish people (descended from Eastern European Jewish people and including most European and American Jewish people), the prevalence of FMF is 1 case per 73,000 population, with a MEFV gene frequency now estimated at perhaps 1 per 5, in contrast to previous estimates of 1 per 135.[8] This suggests that not all mutations have equal penetrance.

In Sephardic Jewish people (descended from Jewish people who were expelled from Spain, largely to North Africa, and including other Middle Eastern Jewish populations), the prevalence of FMF is 1 case per 250-1000 population, with a gene frequency of 1 per 8-16.

In Armenian persons (based on epidemiology among Armenian populations in Lebanon and southern California), the estimated prevalence of FMF is 1 case per 500 population, with a gene frequency of 1 per 7.

Turkish people (from one study) may have a prevalence of approximately 1 case per 1000 population.[9]

Arabic people (from one study) may have a prevalence of 1 case per 2600 population in children and a gene frequency of 1 per 50.

Since the development of gene testing, which allows confirmation of FMF in some cases, the disease has been reported in unexpected locations, including by two Japanese groups.[10, 11]

Migrations of guest workers around the world have highlighted the need for physicians to think about formerly uncommon illnesses in their home countries and the need for review articles in national journals.[12]

Mortality/Morbidity

Nephrotic syndrome: Before the institution of colchicine therapy, mortality due to nephrotic syndrome was almost universal by age 50 years in North African Sephardic Jewish patients. Among other Sephardic Jewish, Ashkenazi Jewish, and Armenian patients, amyloidosis was extremely rare. The mortality rate among Turkish patients was high, but this high rate may have represented selection bias. No pre–colchicine-therapy data are available from Arabic patients.

Appendectomies: Many patients with undiagnosed FMF have undergone appendectomy because the severity of the peritoneal episodes seemed to indicate appendicitis.

Chronic arthritis: Approximately 5% of patients with FMF develop chronic arthritis that sometimes leads to destructive arthritis of hips or knees and may necessitate joint replacements. Approximately 10% of patients with chronic arthritis develop seronegative spondyloarthropathy.

Fertility and pregnancy: Approximately one third of female patients with FMF are infertile, and 20-30% of pregnancies result in fetal loss.

Sex- and Age-relate Demographics

In adults, FMF is more prevalent in men than in women, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.5-2:1.

Of all persons with FMF, 50-60% are younger than 10 years, 80-95% are younger than 20 years, and 5-10% are older than 20 years at onset. Onset in persons older than 40 years is rare. In a retrospective review, 5 of 18 heterozygous children with onset below age 6 years went into remission at puberty and were able to stop colchicine.[13]

History

The preeminent feature of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the paroxysm, the classic onset of which occurs without warning, although some patients may be able to detect premonitory symptoms. The paroxysms usually last 48-96 hours, with peak intensity occurring within the first 12 hours. A plateau with resolution follows, usually occurring more slowly than the onset of symptoms.

In paroxysms, the person's temperature rises rapidly to 38-40°C (100.4-104°F). Temperature increases may occur before other manifestations. In mild attacks, fever may be the only manifestation.

Peritoneal symptoms

Almost all patients with FMF experience abdominal episodes. Abdominal pain develops, and may progress to peritonitis. Frequently the clinical presentation is consistent with appendicitis or cholecystitis, so patients commonly undergo appendectomies and cholecystectomies because the abdominal episodes of FMF are not recognized as such. The symptoms may also mimic renal colic.

In many cases, patients develop constipation during the attack and diarrhea after the attack resolves.

Even with recurrent attacks, adhesions are rare.

Pleural and pericardial symptoms

The frequency of pleural and pericardial attacks varies among ethnic groups, with 25-80% of patients reporting pleuritic episodes. Effusions occasionally occur. Pericarditis may develop, but tamponade and constrictive pericarditis are rare.

Synovial symptoms

The rate of synovial symptoms varies from 25-75% in reported series. The episodes may resemble gout in their acute onset and intensity. Knees, ankles, and wrists are the joints most commonly affected. An arthritis that resembles seronegative spondyloarthritis may also occur.

Arthritic symptoms tend to last several days longer than abdominal symptoms. Episodes can be protracted. The joints are normal between attacks, and permanent damage is unusual.

Arthritis may be the only manifestation of FMF. The diagnosis of FMF should be considered in patients who have a family history of FMF or live in an endemic area and experience episodes of arthritis.[14]

Other manifestations

The following may also be features of FMF:

Amyloidosis

In a patient of the appropriate ethnic group, the typical progression of amyloidosis in FMF is proteinuria, followed by nephrotic syndrome, and, inevitably, death from renal failure.

One third of patients with amyloidosis develop renal vein thrombosis. Nephrotic syndrome is reported in patients as young as 14 years. Despite the frequency and extent of amyloid deposits in the renal system, deposits in other organs are only rarely reported as significant.

In a retrospective study of 170 Armenian patients with FMF and suspected nephropathy, biopsy-proven amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis was found in 102 (60%). Recurrent arthritis was significantly associated with an increased risk of AA amyloidosis, and involvement of the joint synovial membrane, which is capable of active serum amyloid A production, was the main predictor of renal amyloidosis.[15]

Prolonged survival resulting from colchicine therapy, dialysis, and renal transplantation allows additional manifestations of amyloidosis to develop. Some patients have intestinal involvement, which may lead to malabsorption and death.

Some patients with a family history of FMF present with amyloid nephropathy without ever having experienced an amyloid attack. Furthermore, some patients with otherwise typical FMF may develop renal failure without previous proteinuria.

Physical Examination

Temperatures can reach as high as 40°C (104°F), but, in most cases, rapid defervescence occurs within 12 hours. Other physical findings of FMF depend mostly on the serosal surface involved, as follows:

Causes

FMF is a recessive genetic disease associated with missense and nonsense mutations in the MEFV gene, which is located on the short arm of chromosome 16. This gene codes for the protein known as pyrin or marenostrin.

More than 310 sequence variants in the MEFV gene have been identified, although not all not associated with a disease phenotype.[6] Most of the pathogenic mutations are in exon 10 of the gene between amino acids 680 and 761. One mutation, in exon 1 at amino acid 148, may represent as many as one quarter of the known mutations. Although certain mutations are more common in particular ethnic groups, patients usually inherit different mutations from each parent.

Homozygotes for M694V (valine for methionine at position 694) may experience more severe disease and may be more likely to develop amyloidosis. Patients with V726A (alanine for valine at position 726) may be at a lower risk of developing amyloidosis, although one study suggests that the combination of V726A and E148Q may be particularly amyloidogenic.[8]

Other genes may be involved in FMF. This possibility is supported by patients who meet criteria for FMF without identifiable mutations in MEFV and who have clinical manifestations that are indistinguishable from patients with MEFV mutations.

Laboratory Studies

Results of routine blood tests performed during the acute attacks of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) are nonspecific. Levels of acute-phase reactants (ie, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, amyloid A protein, fibrinogen) are elevated. The white blood cell count is usually elevated during an attack. The elevated levels rapidly return to the reference range as the attack abates.

On urine studies, proteinuria should raise a concern about possible amyloidosis. For unknown reasons, hematuria occurs in 5% of patients.

In patients with arthritis during attack, synovial fluid is inflammatory, with cell counts as high as 100,000/µL.

Genetic Testing

Genetic testing is now available for FMF. Testing for a limited number of genes may be appropriate in patients with a known ethnic background. Complete gene sequencing may be more helpful in patients of mixed or unknown ethnicity. Symptomatic patients with at least one MEFV mutation should be considered to have FMF. Patients with no gene mutations who meet criteria for FMF should be offered a trial of colchicine. Given the high gene frequency and low penetrance in certain populations (eg, Ashkenazi Jews, Armenians), gene testing should be closely correlated to clinical findings to avoid false-positive results.

An expert committee of European pediatric rheumatologists has developed the following recommendations for genetic diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever[16] :

Imaging Studies

Findings during an acute attack in patients with peritonitis, pleuritis, and arthritis are as expected and include air-fluid levels, pleural effusions, and synovial effusions.

Histologic Findings

Massive amyloid infiltration of the blood vessels and of the endothelial side of the glomerular basement membrane occurs in the kidneys. In the rectal submucosa, the amyloid is found near the blood vessels.

Biopsy

Amyloidosis can be presumed in patients with FMF, particularly those of North African descent who have proteinuria. Renal biopsy or, alternatively, submucosal rectal biopsy, is indicated in these patients.

A recent retrospective review of kidney biopsies in FMF patients found that 40% of the patients had nonamyloid kidney disease (NAKD). While the patients with amyloid kidney disease (AKD) had more proteinuria and more of them had more than 3.5 g of proteinuria, all of these biopsies were in patients with greater than 500 mg of proteinuria. The AKD patients had more severe disease and were more likely to have hypertension. All patients with proteinuria of greater than 500 mg/24 h should have a biopsy.[17]

Medical Care

Colchicine

Colchicine is so effective in preventing attacks of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) and preventing the development of amyloidosis that the most important aspects of medical care are to make the correct diagnosis and to institute therapy.

Administer colchicine therapy daily in patients at risk of developing amyloidosis (eg, North African Jewish people, Turkish people, Armenian people living in Armenia). Other Sephardic Jewish people and Arabic people are at lower risk but also probably require daily colchicine therapy.

Daily colchicine is customarily given in a dosage of 0.6 or 0.5 mg twice daily, depending on the dosage form available. However, a study in treatment-naive pediatric patients newly diagnosed with FMF found that a single 1-g daily dose was noninferior to 0.5 mg given twice daily.[18] Guidelines from the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommend the following starting dosages of colchicine[19] :

After colchicine has been started, EULAR recommends following patients closely for 3–6 months to observe the therapeutic effect.

In patients who do not respond to twice-a-day dosing, administer colchicine three, or even four, times a day. In patients who have difficulty tolerating colchicine, start therapy at once-a-day dosing and gradually increase the dose. In patients whose conditions were not responsive to oral colchicine, the addition of 1 mg IV once a week reduced the number of attacks in 10 of 13 patients and the severity of attacks in 6 of 13 patients.[20]

Colchicine also stabilizes the amount of proteinuria in patients with amyloid nephropathy. Renal disease may resolve in patients with a creatinine level of less than 1.5 mg/dL who are treated with 1.5 mg/d of colchicine.

Ashkenazi Jewish people and Armenian people living in the United States seem to be at extremely low risk of amyloidosis and may need treatment only to prevent attacks. If attacks are rare and patients can determine when they are beginning, treatment with intermittent colchicine therapy at the onset of attacks may be sufficient.

The regimen for acute attacks in patients not taking daily colchicine is 0.6 mg every hour for 4 doses, then 0.6 mg every 2 hours for 2 doses and then 0.6 mg every 12 hours for 4 doses. Colchicine should be started as soon as the patient recognizes that an attack is occurring. If the initial doses are effective, patients may be able to do without the later doses, but this varies from patient to patient.

A Turkish study found that in children who were heterozygous for MEFV variants and required initiation of colchicine treatment after experiencing symptoms of FMF, colchicine may be successfully discontinued in some cases, if very careful follow-up is provided. In this study, the median duration of colchicine treatment was 36 (range, 24-110) months, and colchicine was discontinued after a median attack- and inflammation-free period of 27 (range, 24-84) months. Colchicine was restarted in 2 of the 22 patients because of symptom recurrence.[21]

A group from another Turkish hospital followed 69 children who were heterozygous for MEFV mutations and did not meet criteria for pediatric FMF. Of these, 39 had known pathogenic mutations and 30 had mutations of unknown significance (E148Q or P369S in 26 cases). None of these children developed persistent proteinuria and only 2 patients who were M694V heterozygous experienced febrile episodes often enough to be started on colchicine.[22]

Some patients treated with colchicine develop lactose intolerance and may respond to a lactose-free diet.

Biologics

In patients whose conditions do not respond to colchicine, biologic therapy—in particular, agents directed toward interleukin-1 (IL-1)—may be effective. In FMF, uninhibited pyrin activity results in uncontrolled production of IL-1, which causes inflammation and may be accompanied by joint pain, swelling, muscle pain, and skin rash. Biologic agents used for FMF include the following:

Rilonacept, given by once-weekly subcutaneous injection, has been shown, in combination with continuation of colchicine, to reduce the number of attacks in patients who did not respond optimally.[26] Interferon-alpha has been used in an intermittent fashion and as prophylaxis, with varying results.[27, 28, 29]

A systematic review found that in patients who do not respond to colchicine or cannot tolerate it, anti–IL-1 treatment resulted in a complete response to therapy, without a single attack during treatment, in 76.5% of patients treated with anakinra and 67.5% of those treated with canakinumab. In addition, anti–IL-1 treatment proved able to reverse proteinuria in patients with established type AA amyloidosis.[30]

Canakinumab was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for FMF in September 2016. Canakinumab is a human monoclonal anti-human IL-1β antibody of the IgG1/kappa isotype. It binds to human IL­1β and neutralizes its activity by blocking its interaction with IL-1 receptors. Approval was based on the phase 3 CLUSTER study, which showed disease control beginning at day 15 and lasting through 16 weeks when compared with placebo.[31]

Other therapeutic measures

Additional treatment options include the following:

Surgical Care

Before the advent of colchicine therapy, renal transplantation was performed in patients with end-stage renal disease due to amyloid nephropathy. Currently, renal failure develops only in patients who are not compliant with therapy or cannot tolerate it and those with disease refractory to therapy. 

Consultations

Since the advent of colchicine therapy, most treated patients are asymptomatic and do not need consultation with a specialist.

Consultation with a rheumatologist is indicated in patients with the following conditions:

Guidelines Summary

Guidelines from the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) for the management of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) include the following recommendations[19] :

Medication Summary

The goals of therapy are to reduce morbidity and to prevent complications. Colchicine is the drug of choice; patients who do not respond to colchicine or cannot tolerate it may benefit from the addition or substitution of biologic agents that inhibit interleukin-1. Of those, canakinumab, anakinra, and rilonacept have demonstrated efficacy, but only canakinumab is approved for use in the United States.

Colchicine (Colcrys)

Clinical Context:  Decreases leukocyte motility and phagocytosis in inflammatory responses.

Class Summary

Colchicine is the drug of choice for familial Mediterranean fever (FMF).

Canakinumab (Ilaris)

Clinical Context:  Human monoclonal anti-human IL-1beta antibody of the IgG1/kappa isotype. It binds to human IL­1beta and neutralizes its activity by blocking its interaction with IL-1 receptors. It is indicated for the treatment of FMF in adult and pediatric patients.

Class Summary

In patients with FMF, uninhibited pyrin activity results in uncontrolled production of IL-1 which causes inflammation and may be accompanied by joint pain, swelling, muscle pain, and skin rash.

Further Outpatient Care

Patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) should be seen regularly to ensure compliance with therapy. In one study, only 2% of 906 patients who were at high risk and compliant developed amyloidosis, compared with 49% of 54 patients who admitted noncompliance.

Teenagers are typically a noncompliant group and need long-term daily therapy to prevent chronic complications. For many of these patients, noncompliance is associated with severe symptoms, which may reinforce the need for therapy. Communicating with patients' pharmacies to determine how often they are obtaining refills may be the best way to assess compliance.

Perform a urinalysis at every visit, particularly in patients at risk of developing amyloidosis. If proteinuria is present, assess patients carefully for compliance. Exclude other causes of proteinuria (eg, heavy sports activity). In patients with hypertension, proteinuria of greater than 3.5 g/24 h and severe FMF, amyloidosis is the more likely cause. However, in nonhypertensive patients with milder diseases, other causes of proteinuria may exist and a biopsy should be considered.[17] If amyloidosis is confirmed, increase the daily dose of colchicine.

For unknown reasons, hematuria occurs in approximately 5% of patients. Its presence, along with prolonged abdominal or muscle pain, suggests the development of polyarteritis nodosa.

Complications

Patients with amyloidosis may develop an acute onset of renal failure if they are stressed by dehydration, infection, or both.

Renal vein thrombosis may occur in nephrotic patients. This condition may manifest as abdominal or flank pain, increasing proteinuria, and worsening renal function. Acute anticoagulation may stabilize or improve renal function.

Prognosis

Patients who are compliant with daily colchicine can probably expect to have a normal lifespan if colchicine is started before proteinuria develops.

Even with amyloidosis, the use of colchicine, dialysis, and renal transplantation should extend a patient's life beyond age 50 years.

Patient Education

Patients with FMF need to understand the importance of strict compliance with daily colchicine therapy. Patient education information on FMF is available through the American College of Rheumatology.

What is familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the pathophysiology of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the prevalence of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the mortality and morbidity of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?Which patient groups have higher incidence of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?Which clinical history findings are characteristic of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What are peritoneal symptoms of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What are pleural and pericardial symptoms of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What are synovial symptoms of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What are the signs and symptoms of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What are the signs and symptoms of amyloidosis in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?Which physical findings are characteristic of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What causes familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?Which conditions should be included in the differential diagnoses of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What are the differential diagnoses for Familial Mediterranean Fever?What is the role of lab studies in the workup of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the role of genetic testing in the workup of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What are recommendations for genetic diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?Which findings on imaging studies suggest familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?Which histologic findings are characteristic of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the role of biopsy in the diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the role of colchicine in the treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the role of biologic therapy in the management of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the role of rilonacept and canakinumab in the treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?How are specific comorbidities managed in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the role of surgery in the treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?When is consultation with a rheumatologist indicated for patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What are the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) treatment guidelines for familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the role of medications in the treatment of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?Which medications in the drug class Interleukin Inhibitors are used in the treatment of Familial Mediterranean Fever?Which medications in the drug class Anti-inflammatory agents are used in the treatment of Familial Mediterranean Fever?What is included in long-term monitoring of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What are complications in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the prognosis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?What is the importance of patient education in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)?

Author

John O Meyerhoff, MD, Clinical Scholar in Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Sinai Hospital of Baltimore

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editors

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Elliot Goldberg, MD, Dean of the Western Pennsylvania Clinical Campus, Professor, Department of Medicine, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Herbert S Diamond, MD, Visiting Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, State University of New York Downstate Medical Center; Chairman Emeritus, Department of Internal Medicine, Western Pennsylvania Hospital

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Carlos J Lozada, MD, Director of Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program, Professor of Clinical Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine

Disclosure: Received honoraria from Pfizer for consulting; Received grant/research funds from AbbVie for other; Received honoraria from Heel for consulting.

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