Anakinra suppresses familial Mediterranean fever crises in a colchicine-resistant patient.

Abstract

We describe a 34-year-old male patient suffering from familial Mediterranean fever and experiencing an increase in both the frequency and severity of disease attacks, suggesting resistance to chronic treatment with colchicine. Since no alternative treatment is established, anakinra, an interleukin-1 receptor antagonist, was administered, not daily, as it has been previously reported, but only during crises, with successful outcome.