musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Behçet Disease
Key Points
Behçet disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder characterized by prominent mucosal inflammation often with vasculitis of large and small vessels. Among the many organ systems involved, oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, aseptic meningitis, and ocular findings, particularly in combination, are very characteristic. Diagnose based on specific clinical criteria. Risk factors for early death are male sex, frequent disease flare-ups, and arterial complications (eg, thrombosis, aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms). Treat withcyclophosphamide,chlorambucil, or anti-TNF drugs (for life-threatening disease),azathioprine,methotrexate,cyclosporine, or anti-TNF drugs (for eye disease), andcolchicine,dapsone,azathioprine,apremilast, anti-TNF drugs, and/or interferon (for mucosal disease). 