Periodic peritonitis due to familial mediterranean fever in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus

Abstract

We report a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who showed periodic peritonitis with spontaneous remission. She showed compound heterozygous mutations in the MEFV gene, leading to the diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF). Oral colchicine successfully reduced the severity and frequency of her peritonitis. SLE occasionally manifests abdominal symptoms, but in cases with periodic peritonitis, associated FMF should be considered as a possible cause. © 2010 The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine.