Clinical spectrum of Behcet's disease among patients seen at the tertiary rheumatology clinic

Abstract

Background: Behcet’s Disease (BD) is a variable vessel vasculitis with heterogeneous clinical features. Although BD occurs worldwide, it is more common in populations along the Old Silk Road, stretching between the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East and Far East. The prevalence of BD is usually higher in populations with the highest frequency of HLA-B51. Although classical manifestations are mucocutaneous lesions, arthritis and uveitis, it can also affect vessels, nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract.
Objectives: The aim of the research was to study the presentations of Behcet's Disease (BD) in the Saudi population and to determine any differences in clinical manifestations between men and women.
Methods: This was a prospective study involving 16 BD patients seen at the outpatient rheumatology clinic of King Abdul-Azeez Specialist Hospital, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia. They were reviewed to analyze the frequency of different disease manifestations.
Results: Sixteen patients with diagnosis of BD were identified among 840 patients seen in the out-patient clinic. They were mainly Saudi indigenes. All the 16 Saudi indigenes with Behcet’s disease satisfied the International Study Group (ISG) criteria and allowed us to obtain a prevalence rate of 1.9%. Twelve men and four women were diagnosed as Behcet’s patients, with a mean age of 29 ± 3 years. The median duration of disease at presentation was 4 years (range 1–7 ears). Mucocutaneous manifestations were present in all the 16 (100%) patients, ocular manifestations in 7 (43.75%) patients, vascular manifestations in 5 (31.25%) patients, and neurological manifestations in 3 (18.75%) patients.
Conclusion: Behcet’s disease among the Saudi population was found not to be an aggressive disease. Ocular complications are mild and responded well to treatment.