Behcet's disease

Question 1

Define Behcet’s disease

Answer 1

Systemic vasculitis similar to autoimmune disease but with no auto-antibodies
various presentations and sequences in patients overtime

Question 2

Aetiology and risk factors of Behcet’s disease

Answer 2

Genetic predisposition often triggered by infective cause
Pathogenesis unkown, aetiology unkown-only know neutrophil hyperactivity

Risk factors
Middle East, mediteranea and east asia
age-20-50 (more common 20-30)
FHX of Behcet’s disease

Question 3

Epidiemology of Behcet’s disease

Answer 3

Often Middle East, meddiarean and east Asia
between 80-250 in 100000
age-20-30

Question 4

Signs and Sx of Behcet’s disease

Answer 4

The signs and Sx can vary between population-GI involvement is more common in turkey

Oral ulcers, Genital ulcer (penis sparing), uveitis (blurry vision, red eye, photophobia)
Erythema nodosum
Unlike other rheum conditions-Sx reside with time, and rarely affect other areas, EXCEPT CNS-can happen anytime

vascular involve-stroke
CNS involve-memory loss, headache, confusion, fever

GI Sx-cramp, pain, diarrhoea, ulceration

Question 5

Investigations of Behcet’s disease

Answer 5

pathergy test-poke arm with needle-form a papule within 48h

Rheum factor and ANA-negative

Lumbar Punct-hypercellularity but not hypoglycaemia

MRI-CNS changes
OGD/endoscopy-inflammation/ulceration