Abstract
Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an autosomal recessive inflammatory disease especially seen in Turks, Sephardic Jews, Armenians, and Arabs. Peritoneal and pleural inflammation, arthritis, erysipelas-like erythema, and arthralgia are well-known features of FMF. A small amount of peritoneal fluid collection can be seen during peritoneal attacks in FMF patients, but chronic ascites is a rather rare complication. We herein report a female FMF patient who developed chronic ascites. She was compound heterozygote for M694V/M680I mutation of the MEFV gene. Aspiration of the ascites fluid revealed a small amount of erythrocytes and mesothelial cells. After dose adjustment of colchicine the amount of ascites decreased. In conclusion, FMF should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic ascites in populations where the disease is endemic.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Lidar M, Livneh A (2007) Familial Mediterranean fever: clinical, molecular and management advancements. J Med 65:318–324
Sohar E, Gafni J, Pras M, Heller H (1967) Familial Mediterranean fever. A survey of 470 cases and review of the literature. Am J Med 43:227–253. doi:10.1016/0002-9343(67)90167-2
Zissin R, Rathaus V, Gayer G, Shapiro-Feinberg M, Hertz M (2003) CT findings in patients with familial Mediterranean fever during an acute abdominal attack. Br J Radiol 76(901):22–25
Aharoni D, Hiller N, Hadas-Halpern I (2000) Familial Mediterranean fever: abdominal imaging findings in 139 patients and review of the literature. Abdom Imaging 25(3):297–300. doi:10.1007/s002610000006
Bektaş M, Altan M, Kutlay S, Goren D, Soykan I, Korkut E, Cetinkaya H, Ozden A (2008) A disease must be considered in the differential diagnosis of ascites: familial Mediterranean fever. Digestion 77(1):35–37. doi:10.1159/000116724
Cekin AH, Dalbudak N, Künefeci G, Gür G, Boyacioğlu S (2003) Familial Mediterranean fever with massive recurrent ascites: a case report. Turk J Gastroenterol 14(4):276–279
Lelievre JD, Ranque-Francois B, Aslangul-Castier E, Adle-Biassette H, Papo T (2002) Chronic ascites related to encapsulating peritonitis in familial Mediterranean fever. Am J Med 113(1):80–81. doi:10.1016/S0002-9343(02)01139-7
Bitar E, Rizk A, Nasr W, Gedeon EM, Tabbara W (1985) Familial paroxysmal polyserositis. Previously unpublished peritoneal complications. A case. Presse Med 14(10):586–588
Dabak R, Uygur-Bayramiçli O, Aydin DK, Dolapçioglu C, Gemici C, Erginel T, Turan C, Karadayi N (2005) Encapsulating peritonitis and familial Mediterranean fever. World J Gastroenterol 11(18):2844–2846
Onen F (2006) Familial Mediterranean fever. Rheumatol Int 26:489–496. doi:10.1007/s00296-005-0074-3
Gentiloni N, Febbraro S, Barone C, Lemmo G, Neri G, Zannoni G, Capelli A, Gasbarrini G (1997) Peritoneal mesothelioma in recurrent familial peritonitis. J Clin Gastroenterol 24(4):276–279. doi:10.1097/00004836-199706000-00023
Curgunlu A, Karter Y, Tüfekci IB, Tunckale A, Karahasanoglu T (2003) Benign cystic mesothelioma: a rare cause of ascites in a case with familial Mediterranean fever. Clin Exp Rheumatol 21(4 Suppl 30):S41–S43
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Üreten, K., Bostancı, A., Akbal, E. et al. Familial Mediterranean fever with chronic ascites: a case report and a review of literature. Rheumatol Int 29, 1477–1480 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-0842-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-009-0842-6