The Eurofever Project: towards better care for autoinflammatory diseases

Eur J Pediatr. 2011 Apr;170(4):445-52. doi: 10.1007/s00431-011-1411-z. Epub 2011 Mar 1.

Abstract

Autoinflammatory diseases are a group of diseases characterized by inflammatory attacks. The monogenic forms of these diseases are also classified as the hereditary periodic fever syndromes. All are characterized by attacks of fever along with certain clinical features and high acute phase reactants. Most of these monogenic diseases are associated with hereditary disorders of the interleukin-1 pathway. The most common autoinflammatory disease is familial Mediterranean fever. The other rather common monogenic diseases are the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome, hyperimmunoglobulinemia D with periodic fever syndrome, and cryopyrin-associated periodic fever syndromes (CAPS). However, a number of multifactorial diseases such as Behçet disease are now also categorized under the topic of autoinflammatory diseases. The main features and management of these diseases will be reviewed. Finally, we introduce the "Eurofever" project, aimed to increase awareness and education for the aforementioned diseases. We conclude that the pediatrician should be aware of the features and management of autoinflammatory diseases since all present with fever-the most common symptom of pediatric practice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes / drug therapy
  • Europe
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / diagnosis
  • Familial Mediterranean Fever / drug therapy
  • Fever / diagnosis
  • Fever / etiology
  • Health Education
  • Hereditary Autoinflammatory Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Hereditary Autoinflammatory Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • International Cooperation
  • Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency / diagnosis
  • Mevalonate Kinase Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Registries