Familial+Mediterranean+fever

[|Familial Mediterranean fever]

= Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) =

By: EKM.flyingzebra

 * 1) The chromosome on which the gene associated with the disorder is located on the short arm of chromosome 16.
 * 2) This disorder is autosomal recessive.
 * 3) Symptoms include the following: joint, abdominal, and chest pain, along with a high fever. Inflammation occurs in the abdominal and chest cavity, and of the skin and joints.
 * 4) The groups most affected are non-Ashkenazi Jews, Armenians, Arabs, and of people of Turkish background. This disorder is more common in men than women. They are 1.5-2 times more likely to develop the disorder.
 * 5) Although there is no specific test to determine if a person has this disease, they use genetic tests to verify the mutation. Thus, if a person shows a typical pattern of these symptoms, then the diagnosis results are almost conclusive.
 * 6) Treatment - Doctors try to control the symptoms from getting out of control with medicine. They use Colchicine, which reduces inflammation, can possibly help during an attack, may prevent further attacks, and may prevent systemic amyloidosis.
 * 7) This is not a fatal disorder, but if it is not treated properly, then it can weaken a person.[[image:http://diseases.zomazi.com/wp-content/uploads/Familial-Mediterranean-Fever.jpg align="right"]]

Extra Information:
 * Symptoms begin at ages 5 to 15.
 * This disorder is in 1 out of every 200 people in each of the ethnic groups listed above.
 * This disease is very rare in other ethnic groups, and is a result of a mutation in the //MEFE// gene.
 * Gallbladder disease can also occur.
 * Colchicine was first used to treat FMF in 1972.

Citation:
 * "Familial Mediterranean Fever - Genes and Disease - NCBI Bookshelf." NCBI. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. < [|__http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK22235/__] >.
 * "Familial Mediterranean Fever - PubMed Health." NCBI. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. < [|__http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001402/__] >.
 * "Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF)." Wellness.com - Your Guide to the Best of Health and Wellness. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. < [|__http://www.wellness.com/reference/allergies/familial-mediterranean-fever-fmf/__] >.
 * "Familial Mediterranean Fever." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 19 Oct. 2011. < [|__http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Familial_Mediterranean_fever__] >.