Adult-onset Periodic Fever, Aphthous Stomatitis, Pharyngitis and Cervical Adenitis Syndrome Responsive to Colchicine

Intern Med. 2023 Dec 1;62(23):3555-3558. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.1364-22. Epub 2023 Apr 14.

Abstract

We herein report a rare case of periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis and cervical adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome that occurred in an 18-year-old man. He visited our hospital with recurrent episodes of a fever, pharyngitis and adenitis without suggestive findings of infection. These episodes resolved within 5 days and recurred quite regularly, with an interval of about 30 days. As the febrile episodes significantly impaired his quality of life, he was treated with colchicine (0.5 mg) as prophylaxis. This completely prevented the episodes during six months of follow-up. Colchicine may therefore be effective in cases of adult-onset PFAPA syndrome.

Keywords: PFAPA syndrome; adult-onset; colchicine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Amyloidosis* / drug therapy
  • Colchicine / therapeutic use
  • Fever / drug therapy
  • Fever / etiology
  • Humans
  • Lymphadenitis* / diagnosis
  • Lymphadenitis* / drug therapy
  • Lymphadenitis* / prevention & control
  • Lymphadenopathy* / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Pharyngitis* / complications
  • Pharyngitis* / drug therapy
  • Quality of Life
  • Stomatitis, Aphthous* / diagnosis
  • Stomatitis, Aphthous* / drug therapy
  • Stomatitis, Aphthous* / prevention & control
  • Syndrome

Substances

  • Colchicine