Clinical Practice Profiles Among Japanese General Medicine Physicians in Treating Adult Patients With Periodic Fever Associated With Autoinflammatory Diseases: A Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Survey

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Abstract
Background: In Japan, general medicine physicians (GMPs) may treat adult patients who have periodic fever associated with autoinflammatory diseases. However, little is known about the status of practice among GMPs in treating these patients. Although prescribing cimetidine is a therapeutic option for periodic fever, aphthous stomatitis, pharyngitis, and adenitis (PFAPA) syndrome, GMPs' prescribing behavior is uncertain. We aimed to investigate: (1) practice among GMPs in treating adult patients with periodic fever associated with autoinflammatory diseases; (2) prescription of cimetidine by GMPs for patients with periodic fever associated with autoinflammatory diseases in general. Methods: A nationwide cross‐sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online questionnaire in May and June 2025. Physicians who were affiliated with three general medicine‐related academic societies in Japan were selected. The questionnaire examined whether respondents had experience treating patients with periodic fever associated with autoinflammatory diseases, current cimetidine prescription practices, the number of patients by age, and respondents' characteristics. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Results: We analyzed data from 247 respondents. Of these, 181 respondents reported having experience treating periodic fever. Among respondents, 159 (87.8%) had experience treating familial Mediterranean fever, and more than half had experience treating Behçet's disease or PFAPA syndrome; 31 (17.1%) were currently prescribing cimetidine to 44 patients. Among patients, 32 (72.7%) were aged between 18 and 39 years. Colchicine and corticosteroids were the main concomitant and alternative medications related to cimetidine. Conclusions: The current results describe clinical practice profiles among Japanese GMPs treating adult patients with periodic fever associated with autoinflammatory diseases (250/250 words).
Funding Information
  • Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (23FC1016)

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