Behçet's disease
Inflammatory disorder / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Behçet's disease (BD) is a type of inflammatory disorder which affects multiple parts of the body.[2] 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.[1][2] The sores can last from a few days, up to a week or more.[2] Less commonly there may be inflammation of the brain or spinal cord, blood clots, aneurysms, or blindness.[1][2] Often, the symptoms come and go.[1]
Behçet's disease | |
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Other names |
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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,[1] chronic fatigue |
Complications | Blindness, joint inflammation, blood clots, aneurysm[2] |
Usual onset | 20s to 40s[1][2] |
Duration | Long term[1] |
Causes | Unknown[1] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms[1] |
Differential diagnosis | Reactive arthritis, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, Sweet syndrome[2] |
Medication | Immunosuppressive medication such as corticosteroids[1] |
Prognosis | Often improves with time[2] |
Frequency | Rare (US, EU), more common (Middle East, Asia)[2] |
The cause is unknown.[1] It is believed to be partly genetic.[2] Behçet's is not contagious.[1] 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.[1]
There is no cure.[1] Treatments may include immunosuppressive medication such as corticosteroids and lifestyle changes.[1] Lidocaine mouthwash may help with the pain.[2] Colchicine may decrease the frequency of attacks.[2]
While rare in the United States and Europe, it is more common in the Middle East and Asia.[2] In Turkey, for example, about 2 per 1,000 are affected.[2] Onset is usually in a person's twenties or forties.[1][2] The disease was initially described by Turkish dermatologist Hulusi Behçet in 1937.[3]