Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift
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Dtsch. Med. Wochenschr. · Aug 2008
Case Reports[Familial Mediterranean fever. Rare manifestation without fever and with inconspicuous family case history].
A 33-year-old man of Turkish descent had suffered from recurrent diffuse abdominal pain and shoulder pain since 13 years. Repeatedly performed investigations in the past had produced numerous diagnoses. The symptoms had been recurring quarterly to weekly, lasted three days on average and resolved spontaneously. He never had fever and the family history was unremarkable. ⋯ Sometimes the name "Familial Mediterranean Fever" (FMF) is misleading because this disease may, although rarely, occur without both, fever and familial history. Because of the increasing number of immigrants FMF should be considered in the initial differential diagnosis of patients of Mediterranean origin presenting with abdominal pain. Genetic analysis of the MEFV-gene as well as a therapeutic trial with colchicine, may help to detect FMF.
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Physicians have for a long time used different definitions, terminology and differential diagnoses for Raynaud's syndromes, which has resulted in diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic problems. In order for difficulties of understanding to be prevented, the terminology should be restricted to the most common terms in international use, i. e. primary, secondary and suspected secondary Raynaud's syndrome. The characteristics of those three forms of Raynaud's syndrome are outlined.