The Impact of Familial Mediterranean Fever on Women's Health

Abstract

Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is the most common hereditary recurrent febrile disorder, characterized by the sudden onset of high fever and severe abdominal pain. The implications of this disorder on a woman's health are significant and not well known among obstetrician/gynecologists. The goal of this review is to familiarize providers caring for women on the ramifications of FMF on different aspects of a woman's life, including puberty, fertility, pregnancy, and menopause, as well as to help them to diagnose and manage FMF when these patients become pregnant.

Frequency of MEFV mutation and genotype–phenotype correlation in cases with dysmenorrhea

“…Estrogen is known to show a colchicine‐like effect on tubulin and adhesion molecules. In this study, it is reported that a clinical improvement occurs in patients in whom estrogen therapy is administered, although the frequency of episodes does not decrease . Another hypothesis is that estrogen and colchicine are metabolized by the same enzymes in the liver and thereby the reduction in estrogen decreases the effectiveness of colchicine by leading to higher metabolism of colchicine .…”

“…In recent years, theories suggesting that hormonal changes developing in the menstrual period could lead to FMF episodes have been proposed. The most accepted theory is that estrogen levels decrease during menstruation . Estrogen is known to show a colchicine‐like effect on tubulin and adhesion molecules.…”

reality of living with familial mediterranean fever identity: a phenomenological study

“…These precipitating factors given in the literature are viral infections, emotional stress, overexertion, trauma, fatty food, unusually high or low temperatures, and menses (1,30,31,32). Managing these precipitating factors is essential for the patients to cope with the disease.…”

Classic Autoinflammatory Diseases

“…166 Most men with FMF are able to father children without discontinuing the drug, 167 and colchicine has been also assessed as safe for use during pregnancy. 168 Cell blood counts (CBCs) and chemistries should be monitored every 3 months in patients on colchicine. Oral colchicine should be continued even in the face of an FMF attack, and co-administration of oral colchicine and intravenous colchicine in the event of an attack should be avoided because of the association with fatal toxicity.…”