Behçet disease
Updates to Article Attributes
Behçet disease is a multi-systemic and chronic inflammatory vasculitis of unknown aetiology.
Epidemiology
The mean age at which Behçet disease occurs is 20-30 years. The disease is most prevalent in the Mediterranean region, Middle East and east Asia. The highest incidence is has been reported in Turkey. Males are affected 2-5 times more often than females.
Clinical presentation
Classic clinical triad of Behçet disease consists of :
- oral ulceration
- genital ulceration
- ocular manifestations
Additional clinical manifestations include skin, joints, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, central nervous system, cardiovascular system, and lung involvement.
Vascular complications develop in about 20-40% of patients with Behçet disease.
Pathology
The underlying pathologic process in Behçet disease is vasculitis and perivascular inflammatory infiltrates affecting vessels of differing sizes in various organs.
Associations
- HLA-B514
- factor V leiden mutation 4
Distribution
Primarily involves four main systems.
- cardiovascular manifestations of Behçet disease - affects 5-30% of cases. Thickening of the aorta and SVC (vasculitis). Inflammation of the veins lead to thrombosis while arterial involvement includes arterial narrowing and aneurysmal dilatation.
- thoracic manifestations of Behçet disease - affects 1-8% of cases. Pulmonary arterial aneurysm: fusiform to saccular, commonly multiple and bilateral, located in the lower lobe or main pulmonary arteries. Subpleural alveolar infiltrates, and wedge-shaped or rounded areas of increased density, which represent focal vasculitis and thrombosis resulting in infarction, haemorrhage, and focal atelectasis
- gastro-intestinal manifestations of Behçet disease - affects 5-60% of cases
- CNS manifestations of Behçet disease - affects 10-50% of cases
- musculoskeletal manifestations of Behçet disease - >50% develop articular disorders/arthralgia7
Treatment and prognosis
The disease may recur, progress, or resolve (either spontaneously, within a few weeks to several months, or with corticosteroid therapy).
EtymologyHistory and etymology
NamedIt is named after Hulusi Behçet (1889-1948), Turkish dermatologist .
Differential diagnosis
On imaging consider
-<a title="musculoskeletal manifestations of Behçet disease" href="/articles/musculoskeletal-manifestations-of-beh-et-disease">musculoskeletal manifestations of Behçet disease</a> - >50% develop articular disorders/arthralgia<sup>7</sup>- +<a href="/articles/musculoskeletal-manifestations-of-beh-et-disease">musculoskeletal manifestations of Behçet disease</a> - >50% develop articular disorders/arthralgia<sup>7</sup>
-</ul><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>The disease may recur, progress, or resolve (either spontaneously, within a few weeks to several months, or with corticosteroid therapy).</p><h4>Etymology</h4><p>Named after <strong>Hulusi Behçet</strong> (1889-1948), Turkish dermatologist .</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><ul><li><a href="/articles/hughes-stovin-syndrome">Hughes-Stovin syndrome</a></li></ul>- +</ul><h4>Treatment and prognosis</h4><p>The disease may recur, progress, or resolve (either spontaneously, within a few weeks to several months, or with corticosteroid therapy).</p><h4>History and etymology</h4><p>It is named after <strong>Hulusi Behçet</strong> (1889-1948), Turkish dermatologist .</p><h4>Differential diagnosis</h4><p>On imaging consider</p><ul><li><a href="/articles/hughes-stovin-syndrome">Hughes-Stovin syndrome</a></li></ul>