Definition

• Behcet’s Disease is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder that causes inflammation of small blood vessels.
• Behcet’s Disease affects blood vessels which causes recurrent aphthous ulcers in the mouth along with genital ulcers, inflammation of the eye.

• Behcet’s Disease can cause a type of meningitis along with inflammation of blood vessels in and around the brain.

Overview
• Behcet’s Disease is mostly seen in people of Asian and Mediterranean descent.
• The most common complication of Behcet’s Disease is ocular inflammation and in Japan Behcet’s Disease is the one of the most common causes of blindness.
• Behcet’s Disease may spontaneously resolve but will frequently relapse later in life.
• 4% of patient with Behcet’s Disease will die from diseases that affect the brain of gastrointestinal track.

Symptoms
• Symptoms of Behcet’s Disease may include mouth sores, genital sores and inflammation of the eye.

Treatment
• Medications helpful in treating Behcet’s Disease include Thalidomide and the immunosuppressive agents: azathioprine and chlorambucil.

References
• N Engl J Med. 1999;381:1284-91. [PMID: 10528040]