Familial Mediterranean Fever poses kidney risks if untreated

Prof. Dr. Meryem Can, a rheumatology specialist at Medipol Mega University Hospital, has issued a warning regarding Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF), a genetic disease common in Turkey. The condition often begins in childhood and can progress unnoticed for years, frequently presenting with symptoms like recurring abdominal pain and fever attacks that may be mistaken for simple infections.

If FMF is not properly managed through lifelong treatment, typically involving colchicine, it can lead to the accumulation of a protein called amyloid in the body. This accumulation specifically targets the kidneys, potentially causing permanent damage, kidney failure, the need for dialysis or kidney transplants, and a shortened lifespan.