musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Behçet Disease
Prognosis for Behçet Disease
Behçet disease typically has a waxing and waning course characterized by exacerbations and remissions. Prognosis tends to be worse in young men. Risk also appears to be higher if patients have an HLA-B51 allele. Mucocutaneous and ocular lesions and arthralgias are often worse early in the disease. Central nervous system and large-vessel manifestations, if they develop, typically occur later. Occasionally, the disease results in death, usually due to neurologic, vascular (eg, aneurysms), or gastrointestinal manifestations. Risk of death is highest for young men and patients with arterial disease or a high number of flare-ups. Many patients eventually go into remission. 