Familial Mediterranean fever in the "Chuetas" of Mallorca--origin in inquisition?

The aim of our study was to compare the features of familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) in Mallorcan "Chuetas" with those in non-Ashkenazi Jews in Israel. The clinical and laboratory data of FMF were evaluated in a recently identified cluster of 50 FMF patients from Mallorca (the Chuetas) and 45 patients from Israel. We found that the prevalence and clinical manifestations of FMF were similar among the Chuetas and the Israeli group. Furthermore, in contrast to other ethnic groups with FMF, joint involvement was quite common in both the Chuetas (70%) and the Israeli group (75%). The Chuetas are descendants of Mallorcan Jews who emigrated from Spain to the island in the 12th century. The non-Ashkenazi Jews originated mainly in North Africa and are descendants of refugees who escaped from Spain as a result of the Inquisition in the 15th century. We suggest that the non-Ashkenazi Jews and the Chuetas may have a common gene defect for FMF.