Behçet’s Disease, Causes, Risk Factor, Symptoms
Behçet's disease is a rare, chronic, inflammatory disorder that affects the blood vessels and tissues throughout the body. Read the article to know more.
Nivedita Dar10 Sept, 2024
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Behçet’s Disease: Debilitating Autoimmune Inflammatory Disease of Blood Vessels. Behcet disease is an auto-inflammatory systemic vasculitis (disorders characterized by inflammation of blood vessels.) of unknown etiology. The condition can involve arteries and veins of all sizes, damaging them throughout the body. It is characterized by oral and genital ulcerations, ocular manifestations, especially chronic relapsing uveitis ( Inflammation of uvea) and systemic vasculitis involving arteries and veins of all sizes.
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Cause Of Behçet’s Disease
The exact etiological basis of Behcet disease remains unknown, although genetics and environmental factors have been found to play a key role. Behçet's disease tends to be much more common in certain ethnic groups where the genes that are linked to the condition may be more common. Exposure to infectious agents, especially hypersensitivity( increased sensitivity and body reaction) to Streptococcus sanguinis antigens, has suggested a pathological role.Read More - Thalassemia
Risk Factors Of Behçet’s Disease
Age : Behcet's disease commonly affects men and women in their 20s and 30s, though children and older adults also can develop the condition. Where you live : People from countries in the Middle East and East Asia, including Turkey, Iran, Japan and China, are more likely to develop Behcet's.Symptoms Of Behçet’s Disease
Behçet's disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, but it's rare for someone with the condition to have all of them at once. These include genital and mouth ulcers, red, painful eyes and blurred vision painful, stiff and swollen joints. In severe cases, there's also a risk of serious and potentially life-threatening problems, such as permanent vision loss and strokes. Mouth ulcers Almost everyone with Behçet's disease develops mouth ulcers. The ulcers may look the same as normal mouth ulcers( a discontinuity in the mucosal epithelium) but can be more numerous and painful. They most often develop on the tongue, lips, gums and the insides of the cheeks. Genital ulcers Like mouth ulcers, recurrent genital ulcers are also a common symptom of Behçet's disease. In men, the ulcers usually appear on the scrotum. In women, they usually appear on the cervix (neck of the womb), vulva or vagina. However, genital ulcers can appear anywhere in the groin area, including on the penis, but this is rare. Skin lesions Many people with Behçet's disease also develop skin lesions. A lesion is any type of unusual growth or abnormality that develops on the skin, such as a bump or a discolored area of skin.Skin lesions that can occur in Behçet's disease include red, tender swellings on the legs called erythema nodosum and more widespread acne - like spots called pseudofolliculitis. Joints Joint swelling and pain often affect the knees in people with Behcet's disease. The ankles, elbows or wrists also might be involved. Signs and symptoms can last one to three weeks and go away on their own.Visit – MedEd App
Diagnosis Of Behçet’s Disease
No tests can determine whether there is Behcet's disease, so mainly clinical examination and signs and symptoms are important. Because nearly everyone with the condition develops mouth sores, mouth sores that have recurred at least three times in 12 months are generally necessary for a diagnosis of Behcet's disease. Pathergy test: in which a doctor inserts a sterile needle into your skin and examines the area one to two days later. If the test is positive, a small red bump forms under your skin where the needle was inserted. This indicates your immune system is overreacting to a minor injury.Read More - Herniated Disc
Treatment Of Behçet’s Disease
While there is no known cure right now for this disease, there are some different drugs that can be used to help manage symptoms. Corticosteroids are the main treatment. These drugs suppress inflammation and immune function. Other immunosuppressant drugs such as methotrexate are used in more severe cases.Behçet’s Disease FAQs
What are the main symptoms of Behçet's disease?
The main symptoms of Behçet's disease include recurrent mouth and genital ulcers, red and painful eyes, blurred vision, joint pain and swelling, and skin lesions. In severe cases, it can lead to life-threatening complications such as permanent vision loss and strokes.
What causes Behçet's disease?
The exact cause of Behçet's disease is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Certain ethnic groups have a higher predisposition, and exposure to infectious agents, particularly Streptococcus sanguinis, is thought to play a role.
What is the pathergy test, and how does it relate to Behçet's disease?
The pathergy test involves inserting a sterile needle into the skin and observing the area after one to two days. A positive result, indicated by a small red bump at the insertion site, suggests an overreactive immune system, which is common in people with Behçet's disease.
What lesions are present in Behçet’s disease ?
Mouth and genital ulcers are among the most common and distinctive symptoms of Behçet's disease. Nearly everyone with the disease experiences recurrent mouth ulcers, and many also have genital ulcers. These ulcers are painful, can be numerous, and play a crucial role in diagnosing the disease.
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