Behcet syndrome

• Article
• 2021-01-29

Behçet's disease is a chronic condition that causes mouth or genital ulcers and inflammation in parts of the eye. In some people, the disease also causes arthritis (swollen, painful, stiff joints), skin problems and inflammation of the digestive tract, brain or spinal cord.

The disease is named after the doctor who first described it, Dr. Hulusi Behçet.

Prognosis

Doctors can use many medications to relieve pain, treat symptoms, and prevent complications. You are likely to be in a period of remission (the disappearance of the symptoms). In some people, treatment does not relieve symptoms, and more serious symptoms, such as eye disorders, may gradually develop. Severe symptoms can appear months or years after the first signs of Behçet's disease.

Symptoms

Behçet's disease affects each person differently. You may have only mild symptoms, such as sores in the mouth or on the genitals. Fever, stiff neck and headache can be signs of a more serious problem: meningitis (inflammation of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord). These more severe symptoms usually appear months or years after the first signs of Behçet's disease.

Symptoms can last for a long time or can come and go within a few weeks. Symptoms usually appear, disappear, and then reappear. You go through a flare when you have symptoms. Each eruption can have different symptoms. You should keep a record of what symptoms occur and when. This will help your doctor diagnose and monitor your disease, especially as many conditions can resemble Behçet's disease.

Common symptoms of Behçet's disease include:

• Mouth ulcers affect almost all people with Behçet's disease. They are probably the first symptom you noticed and can occur long before any other symptoms appear. The sores usually have a red border and several may appear at the same time. They can be painful and make eating difficult. Mouth sores go away in 10 to 14 days, but often come back. Small sores usually heal without scarring, but larger sores can cause scarring.
• Genital ulcers affect more than half of all people with Behçet's disease. They usually appear on the scrotum in men and vulva in women. The sores resemble mouth sores and can be painful. They can cause scarring after several outbreaks.
• Skin problems are a common symptom of Behçet's disease. The sores are red and raised and may look like a pus-filled bump or bruise. They usually appear on the legs and upper body.
• Inflammation of the middle or back of the eye (the uvea) and iris occurs in more than half of all people with Behçet's disease. This is more common in men than women and usually starts within 2 years of the first symptoms. Eye inflammation can cause blurred vision. In rare cases, it causes pain and redness. Tell your doctor immediately if you have these symptoms as persistent eye inflammation can cause loss of vision.
• Arthritis affects more than half of all people with Behçet's disease. Arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints, especially in the knees, ankles, wrists, and elbows. The arthritis usually lasts for a few weeks and does not cause permanent joint damage.
• In some people with Behçet's disease, blood clots sometimes form in inflamed veins, usually the legs. The affected area can be painful, swollen, and warm. Blood clots can cause serious health problems. So be sure to report any of these symptoms to your doctor right away. Some people may have artery problems such as aneurysms (balloon-like swelling of the artery wall).
• Brain and spinal cord problems occur in about 1 in 4 people with the disease in the United States. Behçet's disease can cause inflammation of the brain and the thin membrane that covers and protects the brain and spinal cord. Symptoms may include fever, headache, stiff neck, and difficulty coordinating movements. You must report any of these symptoms to your doctor immediately, as stroke can result if the condition is not treated.
• In rare cases, inflammation and ulcers of the digestive tract occur. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea and / or bleeding. Your doctor will need to rule out other illnesses with similar symptoms, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

Was this article helpful? 

Did you not find what you were looking for? Search further in the