RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Interferon-α as a Treatment Modality for Colchicine-Resistant Familial Mediterranean Fever JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 1362 OP 1365 VO 35 IS 7 A1 NURIT TWEEZER-ZAKS A1 EINAT RABINOVICH A1 MERAV LIDAR A1 AVI LIVNEH YR 2008 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/35/7/1362.abstract AB Objective Previous reports on interferon-α (IFN-α) were conflicting with respect to its efficacy in familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) refractory to colchicine treatment. We investigated the effect of IFN-α in patients with colchicine-resistant FMF. Methods In a prospective, patient self-controlled, open-label study evaluating the safety and efficacy of IFN-α in patients with FMF with a severe phenotype, refractory to intensified (oral plus intravenous) colchicine therapy, we advised patients to subcutaneously inject IFN-α, 3 million international units, at the onset of the FMF attack. Attacks not treated with IFN-α of the same patients and in the same sites served as control attacks. Features of each attack were recorded in a questionnaire, eventually used to compare between IFN-α-treated and non-treated attacks. Results Ten patients with a total of 80 attacks were recruited. Compared to 22 untreated attacks, a >20% and > 50% reduction in the duration of the attacks was noted in 100% and 90% of the 58 IFN-α-treated attacks, respectively (p < 0.001 for both). The severity (degree of pain) of the IFN-α-treated attacks was attenuated by > 20% and > 50% in 88% and 49% of these attacks, respectively (p < 0.001 for both). The most common drug-related adverse events were chills and fatigue. Conclusion Early intervention with IFN-α injections was associated with reduced attack length and/or severity in a substantial number of bouts, with an acceptable cost of adverse events.