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Familial Mediterranean fever — SCE Rheumatology MCQ

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HardPregnancy in rheumatic disease and rare conditionsFamilial Mediterranean feverSCE Rheumatology

A young adult has recurrent fever episodes lasting 10 to 14 days with migratory myalgia, an erythematous rash and periorbital oedema. A parent is similarly affected, and testing finds a pathogenic TNFRSF1A variant. What is the diagnosis?

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Correct answer: BAutosomal-dominant TNF receptor-associated periodic fever syndrome (TRAPS)

Prolonged inflammatory attacks, migratory myalgia and rash, periorbital oedema, autosomal-dominant inheritance and a pathogenic TNFRSF1A variant define TRAPS. FMF usually causes shorter attacks and has a different genetic basis.

Reference: NHS Genomics Education: familial periodic fever syndromes (Current NHS knowledge hub, accessed 30 July 2026): https://www.genomicseducation.hee.nhs.uk/genotes/knowledge-hub/familial-periodic-fever-syndromes/; NHS England: canakinumab for TRAPS, HIDS/MKD and FMF (Published March 2020): https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/canakinumab-for-treating-periodic-fever-syndromes-traps-hids-mkd-and-fmf-ages-2-years-and-older/