Diagnosis of familial Mediterranean fever following the initial presentation of monoarthritis.

Aims: To determine if familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) genetic testing should be advised in children with initial presentation of monoarthritis and to identify clinical parameters associated with FMF-induced arthritis that warrant genetic investigation.

Methods: A prospective study of 71 otherwise healthy children admitted to our pediatric department between 2010-2013 with a first episode of idiopathic monoarthritis. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were documented and genetic assay of the five common mutations in our population of the MEFV gene that cause FMF syndrome were analyzed in the entire study population.