Behçet's disease
Behçet's disease (BD) is a type of inflammatory disorder which affects multiple parts of the body. The most common symptoms include painful sores on the mucous membranes of the mouth and other parts of the body, inflammation of parts of the eye, and arthritis. The sores can last from a few days, up to a week or more. Less commonly there may be inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, blood clots, aneurysms, or blindness. Often, the symptoms come and go.
| Behçet's disease | |
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| A person with hypopyon which can be seen in anterior uveitis in a person with Behçet's disease | |
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| Specialty | Rheumatology, Immunologynod |
| Symptoms | Mouth sores, genital sores, inflammation of the eye, arthritis, chronic fatigue |
| Complications | Blindness, joint inflammation, blood clots, aneurysm |
| Usual onset | 20s to 40s |
| Duration | Long term |
| Causes | Unknown |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms |
| Differential diagnosis | Reactive arthritis, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, Sweet syndrome |
| Medication | Immunosuppressive medication such as corticosteroids |
| Prognosis | Often improves with time |
| Frequency | Rare (US, EU), more common (Middle East, Asia) |
The cause is unknown. It is believed to be partly genetic. Behçet's is not contagious. Diagnosis is based on at least three episodes of mouth sores in a year, together with at least two of the following: genital sores, eye inflammation, skin sores, a positive skin prick test.
There is no cure. Treatments may include immunosuppressive medication such as corticosteroids and lifestyle changes. Lidocaine mouthwash may help with the pain. Colchicine may decrease the frequency of attacks.
While rare in the United States and Europe, it is more common in the Middle East and Asia. In Turkey, for example, about 2 per 1,000 are affected. Onset is usually in a person's twenties or forties. The disease was initially described by Turkish dermatologist Hulusi Behçet in 1937.