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"Resources" on this report.
Copyright 1986, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003
Synonyms of Mediterranean Fever, Familial
- Armenian Syndrome
- Benign Paroxysmal Peritonitis
- Familial Paroxysmal Polyserositis
- FMF
- MEF
- Periodic Amyloid Syndrome
- Periodic Peritonitis Syndrome
- Polyserositis, Recurrent
- Reimann Periodic Disease
- Reimann's Syndrome
- Siegel-Cattan-Mamou Syndrome
Disorder Subdivisions
General Discussion
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a rare, inherited, inflammatory disease characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and acute inflammation of the membranes that line the abdominal cavity (peritonitis) and/or the lungs (pleuritis); pain and swelling of the joints (arthritis); and/or the heart (pericarditis) and, in some cases, skin rashes. In addition, some affected individuals may experience a serious complication known as amyloidosis, which is characterized by abnormal accumulation of a fatty-like substance (amyloid) in various parts of the body. If amyloid accumulates in the kidneys (renal amyloidosis), kidney function may be impaired and life-threatening complications may occur.
In most instances, but not exclusively, FMF affects persons of Mediterranean origin such as Sephardic Jews, Arabs, Armenians, and Turks. FMF is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. The causative gene on the short arm of chromosome 16 has been cloned.
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Organizations related to Mediterranean Fever, Familial
- Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center
PO Box 8126
Gaithersburg MD 20898-8126
Phone #: 301-251-4925
800 #: 888-205-2311
e-mail: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD/EmailForm.aspx
Home page: http://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/GARD
- MUMS National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay WI 54301-1243
Phone #: 920-336-5333
800 #: 877-336-5333
e-mail: mums@netnet.net
Home page: http://www.netnet.net/mums/
- Madisons Foundation
PO Box 241956
Los Angeles CA 90024
Phone #: 310-264-0826
800 #: N/A
e-mail: getinfo@madisonsfoundation.org
Home page: http://www.madisonsfoundation.org
- March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
1275 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains NY 10605
Phone #: 914-997-4488
800 #: 888-663-4637
e-mail: Askus@marchofdimes.com
Home page: http://www.marchofdimes.com
- NIH/National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda MD 20892-3675
Phone #: 301-495-4484
800 #: 877-226-4267
e-mail: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
Home page: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info
- NIH/National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
2 Information Way
Bethesda MD 20892-3570
Phone #: 301-654-3810
800 #: 800-891-5389
e-mail: nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov
Home page: http://www.niddk.nih.gov
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