Behcet's disease is a chronic condition that causes canker sores or ulcers in the mouth and on the genitals, and inflammation in parts of the eye. In some people, Behcet's disease also results in:
Arthritis (swollen, painful, stiff joints)
Skin problems
Inflammation of the digestive tract, brain, and spinal cord.
Behcet's (BAY-sets) disease was first described in 1937 by Dr. Hulusi Behçet, a dermatologist in Turkey.
Who Does It Affect?
Behcet's disease is common in the Middle East, Asia, and Japan; it is rare in the United States. In Middle Eastern and Asian countries, the disease affects more men than women. In the United States, the opposite is true. Behcet's disease tends to develop in people in their 20s or 30s, but people of all ages can develop the condition.
Cause of Behcet's Disease
Research scientists are not sure of the causes of Behcet's disease. At this point, scientists think that genetics and some environmental factors may be possible factors in the development of the condition.
Scientists do know that nearly all of the symptoms of Behcet's disease are due to an inflammation of the blood vessels, but they aren't sure what causes this inflammation. These scientists also know that this disease is not contagious, meaning it is not spread from one person to another.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Behcet's disease differ from one person to the next. Some people have only mild symptoms, such as sores in the mouth, while others have more severe problems, such as vision loss. Symptoms of Behcet's disease may appear, disappear, and then reappear. The times when a person has symptoms are called flares.
The five most common symptoms of Behcet's disease are:
Mouth sores
Genital sores
Other skin problems
Inflammation of parts of the eye
Arthritis.
Other, less common symptoms include:
Central nervous system problems, including meningitis and encephalitis
Blood clots
Inflammation in the digestive system
Blindness.
Diagnosing Behcet's Disease
In order to make a diagnosis, the doctor will likely ask a number of questions about a person's medical history, including:
Current symptoms
Family history of any medical problems
Any medicines the person is taking.
The doctor will also perform a physical exam to look for any signs of the disease.
Diagnosing Behcet's disease is often difficult, because no specific test confirms it. Less than half of patients initially thought to have Behcet's disease actually have it. Most people are diagnosed with Behcet's disease based on the most common symptoms of the condition.
Treatment Options
Since there is no cure, the goal of treatment for Behcet's disease is to reduce pain and prevent serious problems, such as disability from arthritis or blindness. Common treatment options include:
Corticosteroids (medication to reduce pain and inflammation)
Immunosuppressive drugs (medication that helps control the immune system, reduce inflammation, and prevent disease flares)
Rest during flares
Moderate exercise, such as swimming or walking, during periods of remission (a disappearance of symptoms).
The type of medicine and the length of treatment for Behcet's disease depend on the person's symptoms and their severity. It is likely that a combination of treatment options will be needed to relieve specific symptoms of the condition. Patients should tell all their doctors about the different medicines they are taking so that the doctors can coordinate treatment.
Prognosis for Behcet's Disease
Although there is no cure for Behcet's disease, most people with the condition can lead productive lives and control their symptoms through:
Proper medication
Rest
Exercise
Healthy lifestyle.
When treatment is effective, flares usually become less frequent. Many patients eventually enter a period of remission (a disappearance of symptoms).
In some people, treatment for Behcet's disease does not relieve symptoms, and gradually more serious symptoms, such as eye disease, may occur. Serious symptoms may appear months or years after the first signs of Behcet's disease
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