About FCAS (Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Syndrome)

History of FCAS

FCAS is 1 condition in a group of rare diseases called CAPS (Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndrome).

FCAS is less severe than Muckle-Wells Syndrome. For someone suffering from FCAS:

• He or she may experience any of the following symptoms:
• Rash
• Fever or chills
• Headache or migraine
• Fatigue
• Sore or red eyes
• Muscle or joint pain
• Symptoms may be less severe and occur less often than in Muckle-Wells Syndrome
• Symptoms may also not last as long as in Muckle-Wells Syndrome
  • Symptoms of FCAS typically last no more than 24 hours<

FCAS was first recorded as Familial Cold Urticaria (FCU) by 2 medical researchers, Kile and Rusk, in 1940.

• In their study of a large North American family, the researchers found many family members who, following exposure to cold temperature, developed:
• Fever
• Rash
• Joint pain

What We Know About FCAS Today

While Kile and Rusk observed that the symptoms of FCAS were occurring due to drops in temperature and that the disease seemed to occur often among family members, suggesting a genetic connection, the main cause remained unknown. It was not until 2001 that researchers found a mutated gene that is the cause of FCAS.

People suffering from FCAS usually inherit this mutated gene, which may lead to uncontrolled inflammation in the body.

• This inflammation is a result of the immune system overproducing a protein called IL-1β, also known as interleukin-1 beta
• Buildup of IL-1β in body tissues is what causes the inflammation and symptoms of FCAS

Learn more about FCAS, including What Causes FCAS.