Rheumatology: familial Mediterranean fever: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Rheumatology: familial Mediterranean fever

Sample item

A 14-year-old boy of Armenian descent has had recurrent attacks of high fever with severe abdominal pain and a swollen knee, each lasting 1 to 3 days and settling completely. Which drug reduces attacks and also prevents the most dangerous long-term complication?

APrednisoloneBAzathioprineCMethotrexateDColchicine

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Colchicine

This is familial Mediterranean fever, an autoinflammatory disease with short, self-limiting episodes of fever and serositis. Lifelong colchicine reduces attacks and prevents AA amyloidosis, which causes proteinuria and renal failure.

Option by option

A. Prednisolone
Prednisolone does not prevent the attacks or the amyloidosis.
B. Azathioprine
Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant that does not control these autoinflammatory attacks.
C. Methotrexate
Methotrexate is a disease-modifying drug for rheumatoid arthritis and has no established role here.
D. Colchicine (correct)
Correct. Colchicine prevents attacks and AA amyloid deposition.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is D, Colchicine. This is familial Mediterranean fever, an autoinflammatory disease with short, self-limiting episodes of fever and serositis.

Why is "Prednisolone" not the answer?

Prednisolone does not prevent the attacks or the amyloidosis.

Why is "Azathioprine" not the answer?

Azathioprine is an immunosuppressant that does not control these autoinflammatory attacks.

Why is "Methotrexate" not the answer?

Methotrexate is a disease-modifying drug for rheumatoid arthritis and has no established role here.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Rheumatology: familial Mediterranean fever in General Medicine. Lifelong colchicine reduces attacks and prevents AA amyloidosis, which causes proteinuria and renal failure.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Rheumatology: familial Mediterranean fever?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.