Recurrent pericarditis as the initial manifestation of Familial Mediterranean fever.
BACKGROUND
Familial Mediterranean fever is an autosomal recessive disease largely restricted to certain ethnic groups and presenting with recurrent febrile serositis attacks. Peritonitis, pleuritis, and synovitis are common manifestations; however, the pericardium is rarely affected.


METHODS
In this case report, we describe a 25-year-old Turkish woman who presented with recurrent pericarditis of no obvious cause, which eventually responded to colchicine therapy. Using gene mutation analysis to detect the MEFV gene, the patient's condition was finally diagnosed as Familial Mediterranean fever.


CONCLUSIONS
Familial Mediterranean fever should be considered in patients with idiopathic recurrent pericarditis unresponsive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications and corticosteroids. Mutation analyses should be done.
Okutur
Kerem
K
Sisli Etfal Research and Training Hospital Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. keremokutur007@yahoo.com
Seber
Selcuk
S
Oztekin
Erkan
E
Bes
Cemal
C
Borlu
Fatih
F
D000328:Adult; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004452:Echocardiography; D010505:Familial Mediterranean Fever / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010493:Pericarditis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000071198:Pyrin; D012008:Recurrence
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C000604192:MEFV protein, human; D000071198:Pyrin