Also called Armenian Disease. Hereditary autoinflammatory condition.Encyclopedia Entry for Familial Mediterranean Fever :Familial Mediterranean fever. FMF is most often caused by a mutation in a gene named MEFV. This gene creates proteins involved in inflammation. FMF most often affects people of Mediterranean ancestry. These include non-Ashkenazi (Sephardic) Jews, Armenians, and Arabs. People from other ethnic groups can also be affected.Symptoms usually begin between ages 5 and 15. Inflammation in the lining of the abdominal cavity, chest cavity, skin, or joints occurs along with high fevers that usually peak in 12 to 24 hours. Attacks may vary in severity of symptoms. People are usually symptom-free between attacks. Symptoms may include repeated episodes of: Abdominal pain Chest pain that is sharp and gets worse when taking a breath Fever or alternating chills and fever Joint pain Skin sores (lesions) that are red and swollen and range from 5 to 20 cm in diameter.If genetic testing shows that you have the MEFV gene mutation and your symptoms match the typical pattern, the diagnosis is nearly certain. Laboratory tests or x-rays can rule out other possible diseases to help make the diagnosis. Levels of certain blood tests may be higher than normal when done during an attack. Tests may include: Complete blood count (CBC) C-reactive protein to check for inflammation Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) to check for inflammation Fibrinogen test to check blood clotting White blood cell count.The goal of treatment for FMF is to control symptoms. Colchicine, a medicine that reduces inflammation, may help during an attack and may prevent further attacks. It can also help prevent a serious complication called systemic amyloidosis , which is common in people with FMF. NSAIDs may be used to treat fever and pain.There is no known cure for FMF. Most people continue to have attacks, but the number and severity of attacks is different from person to person.Amyloidosis may lead to kidney damage or not being able to absorb nutrients from food (malabsorption). Fertility problems in women and men and arthritis are also complications.Call your provider if you or your child develops symptoms of this condition.Familial paroxysmal polyserositis; Periodic peritonitis; Recurrent polyserositis; Benign paroxysmal peritonitis; Periodic disease; Periodic fever; FMF.Temperature measurement Temperature measurement.Ombrello AK, Kastner DL. Hereditary periodic fever syndromes and other systemic autoinflammatory diseases.