Protracted febrile myalgia in patients with familial mediterranean fever

Objective. We describe a newly defined syndrome of protracted febrile myalgia in patients with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Methods. Fourteen patients with FMF were admitted with an attack of severe disabling myalgia accompanied by fever, high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and hyperglobulinaemia, lasting up to 6 weeks. Results. Unlike in the classical manifestations of FMF response to corticosteroids therapy was prompt. Conclusion. Protracted febrile myalgia is an uncommon dramatic manifestation of FMF that may occur despite colchicine therapy and requires treatment with corticosteroids.