About Muckle-Wells Syndrome (MWS)

History of MWS

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

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

• 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 more severe and occur more often than in FCAS
• Symptoms may also last longer than in FCAS
  • Symptoms of Muckle-Wells Syndrome usually last between 1 and 2 days

Muckle-Wells Syndrome was named after the 2 medical researchers, Thomas J. Muckle and Michael Wells, who first described the disease in 1962.

• In their study, 9 close relatives of a single family had what seemed to be an inherited disease characterized by frequently occurring symptoms, such as:
• Chills
• Rash
• Fatigue
• Some symptoms occurred following exposure to cold temperature

What We Know About Muckle-Wells Syndrome Today

While Muckle and Wells observed that some of the symptoms of Muckle-Wells Syndrome 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 the mutated gene that is the cause of Muckle-Wells Syndrome.

People suffering from Muckle-Wells Syndrome 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 Muckle-Wells Syndrome

Learn more about Muckle-Wells Syndrome, including What Causes Muckle-Wells Syndrome.