Clinical and genetic features of Chinese adult patients with tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic fever syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: TNF receptor-associated periodic fever syndrome (TRAPS) is an autosomal dominant systemic autoinflammatory disease caused by mutations of TNF receptor superfamily member 1 A (TNFRSF1A) gene. TRAPS has hardly been reported in the Chinese population. We aimed to characterize the clinical and genetic features of Chinese adult patients with TRAPS.

Methods: Nine adult patients (≥16 years) were diagnosed during April 2015 to June 2019, at the Department of Rheumatology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital. Clinical and genetic features of these patients were evaluated and compared with those from Japan and Europe.

Results: The median age of disease onset was 3 (0.5-38.5) years old, and adult-onset was observed in two (22.2%) patients. The median time of diagnosis delay was 16.5 (1.5-50.5) years. One patient had a family history of TRAPS. The frequent symptoms were fever (nine, 100%), rash (seven, 77.8%), arthralgia/arthritis (five, 55.6%) and abdominal pain (five, 55.6%). Only two (22.2%) patients had periorbital oedema. Nine TNFRSF1A gene variants were detected, including C58R, G65E, F89L, C99G, V202G, V202D, c.769-23T>C, S290I and c.*64T>C. Rash was more frequently seen in Chinese than in Japanese and European patients, while chest pain and amyloidosis occurred less frequently.

Conclusion: This is the first and largest case series of TRAPS in Chinese adult patients. Two novel TNFRSF1A variants, S290I and V202G, have been identified. The different clinical manifestations of our patients compared with those from Japan and Europe might be related to their TNFRSF1A variants.

Keywords: TNFRSF1A gene; TRAPS; adult-onset; systemic autoinflammatory diseases.