Behcet's disease Flashcards
1
Q
What is Behcet’s disease?
A
Inflammatory vasculitis affecting mucocutaneous, ophthalmological, vascular, GI and CNS systems, characterised by orogenital ulceration and uveitis.
2
Q
What is the aetiology of Behcet’s disease?
A
Genetics: HLA-B51. Not associated with autoimmune of systemic inflammatory conditions.
3
Q
What is the pathophysiology of Behcet’s disease?
A
Neutrophil hyper-reactivity
4
Q
What is the epidemiology of Behcet’s disease: Gender? Where? Age?
A
More active and severe in males. Most common in Mediterranean, Middle East and far East. 20-40 years.
5
Q
What are the signs and symptoms of Behcet’s disease? (x5)
A
- Oral and genital ulcers but only inside mouth. Never on lips like HSV. Genital ulcers are painful and often infected, particularly found on scrotum
- Uveitis
- Acne lesions in atypical locations such as arms and legs
- Erythema multiforme
- Neurological: memory loss, meningeal inflammation
- Crampy abdominal pain, diarrhoea and GI ulceration
6
Q
What is the disease progression of Behcet’s disease?
A
Becomes less severe with time
7
Q
What are the investigations for Behcet’s disease? (x4)
A
- PATHERGY TESTING: subcutaneous needle-prick becomes inflamed and a sterile pustule develops within 24-48 hours
- LP when neurological involvement suspected
- Colonoscopy when GI involvement to rule out other pathologies
- RF, ANA, ANCA to exclude other pathologies
