Behcet's Syndrome

Summary

Behcet's syndrome is a disease that involves vasculitis, which is inflammation of the blood vessels. It causes problems in many parts of the body. The most common symptoms are

• Sores in the mouth
• Sores on the sex organs
• Other skin sores
• Swelling of parts of the eye
• Pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints

More serious problems can include meningitis, blood clots, inflammation of the digestive system and blindness.

Doctors aren't sure what causes Behcet's. It is rare in the United States, but is common in the Middle East and Asia. It mainly affects people in their 20s and 30s. Diagnosing Behcet's can take a long time, because symptoms may come and go, and it may take months or even years to have all of the symptoms. There is no cure. Treatment focuses on reducing pain and preventing serious problems. Most people can control symptoms with treatment.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Learn More

• Behcet's Disease (Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center)
• Behcet's Disease (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) Also in Spanish
• Behcet's Disease (National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
• Dilating Eye Drops (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus)
• Methotrexate (Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center)
• Prednisone (Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center)
• Uveitis (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Genetics

• Genetics Home Reference: Behçet disease (National Library of Medicine)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Behcet Syndrome (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Audiological and vestibular measurements in Behçet's disease.
• Article: Eye and Behçet's disease.
• Article: Clinical and Genetic Aspects of Behçet's Disease in Japan.
• Behcet's Syndrome -- see more articles