Behcet Disease Research Paper

0verview: Behcet disease, also called Behcet syndrome, is an uncommon condition that causes inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body. Dr. Hulusi Behcet, a dermatologist born in Turkey, identified it in a patient in 1924 and published a description of the disease in 1937. The syndrome is common in the Middle East, Asia, and Japan; and affects more men than women. However, in the United States, more women developed the disease than men, where it generally affects fewer than 1 in 100,000 people. Most cases of Behcet disease are occurring in people with no family history of the disease. A small fraction of all cases have been reported to run in the families. Still, the disorder does not have a clear pattern of inheritance.

Symptoms: Symptoms mostly develop in people in their 20s or 30s, but people of all ages can develop this disease. Behcet disease affects each individual differently. Some people
have only, mild symptoms such as canker sores in the mouth or on the genitals area. Others have more severe indications, such as meningitis, arthritis. Behcet disease has five most common symptoms that included: mouth sores, genital sores, other skin lesions, inflammation of parts of the eyes, and arthritis.
Diagnosis: It is very hard to diagnose Behcet disease because there is no specific test to confirms it. Doctors rely on symptoms reported by patients, and blood test to rule out other condition that looks like Behcet symptoms. Nevertheless, three mouth sores in the last 12 months. And one to two cases of recurring genital sores, eye inflammation with loss of vision, characteristic skin lesions are considered significant to a diagnosis of Behcet disease.

Treatment: Therapy depends on the severity of the clinical findings. Mild disease of skins and joints may be treated with topical steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Involvement of the central nervous system or gastrointestinal tract may require high dose of steroids or cytotoxic drugs. There is no cure for Behcet disease. The goal of treatment is to reduce discomfort and prevent serious complications such as disability from arthritis or blindness.

Prognosis: Many patients eventually enter a period of remission when treatment is effective.
For some, treatment does not relieve symptoms, and gradually more serious symptoms, such as eyes disease may occur. In general, most people with Behcet disease can lead a productive lives and control symptoms with proper medication, rest, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle.

Consultation: Consulting the patient to rheumatologist, urologist, gynecologist, dermatologist, ophthalmologist, gastroenterologist, hematologist, and neurologist. Patients and family should be providing with referrals to support groups, and educational resources to families dealing with Behcet disease like: American Behcet’s disease Association.

Shannon, J. B. (2012) Immune system disorders sourcebook: Basic consumer health information disorder of the immune system (4th ed.) Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics
Genetics Home Reference (2016, February 15,). Behcet disease Retrieved from htt://ghr.nlm. nih.gov/ condition>Behcet-disease
Carline Archille,
RN