Familial Mediterranean fever
Alternative Names
Familial paroxysmal polyserositis; Periodic peritonitis; Recurrent polyserositis; Benign paroxysmal peritonitis; Periodic disease; Periodic feverSymptoms
- Fever or alternating chills and fever (relapsing)
- Abdominal pain
- Chest pain that occurs repeatedly (recurrent)
- Recurrent abdominal pain, recurrent
- Recurrent joint pain
- Pain in hip, knee, ankle, shoulder elbow or wrist
- Pain over the small joints of the foot or hand
- Pain in other joints
- Skin lesions that are red and swollen and range from 5-20 cm in diameter
Exams and Tests
There is no specific test to diagnose this disease. Sometimes analysis of the chromosomes can help. Ruling out other possible diseases using laboratory tests or x-rays will help determine the diagnosis.
Certain blood tests may be higher-than-normal when done during an attack. They include:
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