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Blood and immune system diseases

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF)

An inherited disease in which attacks of fever with abdominal, chest or joint pain keep coming back. It is relatively common in Türkiye.

Not part of the panel of Türkiye's National Newborn Screening Programme (heel-prick test). Source

Orphanet has a guideline for emergency doctors for this disease (language: German, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese). See on Orphanet

Prepare an emergency card

This page is translated from the Turkish original.

This disease is followed through the “Blood and immune system diseases” group.

Understanding the disease

This section has not yet been reviewed by a physician. It summarises patient information from sources such as MedlinePlus, Orphanet and the NHS in plain language. The disease can differ from person to person; talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment.

What happens in this disease?

In FMF, the body has repeated attacks of inflammation. During attacks, fever comes with pain in the abdomen, chest or joints. Attacks often last between half a day and three days. The time between two attacks can range from days to years.

Which symptoms can occur?

The first attacks often begin in childhood or adolescence. In some people, they appear later.

  • Fever that comes in attacks (common)
  • Abdominal pain (common)
  • Chest or joint pain (common)
  • Mild complaints before an attack, such as muscle pain, headache or feeling unwell (in about half of people)
  • Skin rash (sometimes)
  • In males, inflammation of the testicle (rare)
  • If not treated, protein build-up in the kidneys (amyloidosis) and kidney failure (an important risk)

How is it diagnosed?

The diagnosis is often made based on the features of the attacks. Doctors use specific criteria for this. A genetic test helps, but on its own it does not always give a definite result.

Treatment and care

The main approach is taking, regularly, the medicine that prevents attacks and kidney damage. This treatment often lasts for life. There are other options for people who cannot take this medicine. A marker of inflammation in the blood is checked regularly. The doctor who follows the disease decides which treatment is suitable.

For the family: inheritance and genetic counselling

FMF is often passed on by receiving one changed gene from the mother and one from the father. Carrier mothers and fathers often have no symptoms. Rarely, a single changed gene can also cause the disease. Genetic counselling guides the family about the risk.

Source: MedlinePlus Genetics — Familial Mediterranean fever · Orphanet — Familial Mediterranean fever (ORPHA:342)

Key facts

How common is it?
Prevalence: 1-5 per 10 000 (Europe)
When does it usually start?
Infancy, Childhood, Adolescence, Adulthood
Gene(s) involved
MEFV

These facts are taken from Orphanet and MedlinePlus records (last checked: October 7, 2026). Frequency values are approximate ranges.

You are not alone: patient associations in Türkiye

Non-profit patient and family organizations in Türkiye working on this disease or disease group. Links are for information; Doktorclub is not affiliated with these organizations and does not endorse them.

For all rare diseases: Nadir Hastalıklar Federasyonu

Links checked on October 8, 2026.

Support and help

Doktorclub does not diagnose, recommend treatments or refer you to hospitals or doctors. These pages are meant to help you talk with your doctor.

News about FMF

Clinical trials (ClinicalTrials.gov)

A clinical trial is a regulated study that tests whether a new treatment is safe and whether it works, in patients who volunteer. Most trials look for a certain age, genetic change and health condition. Taking part is voluntary.

This list is not a treatment recommendation. Treatments tested in phase 1–3 trials are investigational (experimental): their efficacy and safety have not yet been proven and they are not approved treatments. Taking part depends on each trial’s criteria and a physician’s assessment; the first step is to talk to the doctor who manages your care.

Questions you can ask your doctor

  • Could this trial be suitable for us?
  • If we take part, how would current treatment and check-ups be affected?
  • Where does the trial take place, and how are travel and accommodation handled?
  • What happens if we want to leave the trial?

ClinicalTrials.gov lists 8 active interventional studies for this disease. 5 are recruiting now; 4 have sites in Türkiye. Last checked: October 7, 2026.

Selected records (studies with a site in Türkiye first):

See all studies on ClinicalTrials.gov · Joining clinical trials

Blood and immune system diseases: other news

Medical codes (for talking with your doctor and finding sources)

These codes identify the disease in international classifications and databases. They can help when you talk with your doctor or look for reliable sources.

Orphanet code: ORPHA:342 · ICD-11 4A60.0

Codes checked against WHO ICD-11 and Orphanet on October 6, 2026.

This page provides general information and does not replace diagnosis or treatment. Talk to your doctor about symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

The information on these pages is for general information only and does not replace medical advice. Talk to your doctor about diagnosis and treatment decisions. In an emergency in Türkiye, call 112.

Every update is based on an open source and labeled with its level of evidence. No advertising and no drug brand names. Our scientific principles

This page was translated from Turkish by the Doktorclub editorial team.