Behçet's disease and risk of vascular events

Curr Opin Cardiol. 2016 Jul;31(4):451-7. doi: 10.1097/HCO.0000000000000281.

Abstract

Purpose of review: We discuss the relationship between several factors and the risk of vascular events in patients with Behçet's disease.

Recent findings: Behçet's disease, a systemic, chronic relapsing vasculitis, is mainly seen in the Mediterranean area and is typically characterized by recurrent oro-genital ulcers, ocular inflammation, and skin manifestations, including articular, vascular, gastroenteric, and neurological involvement. It is a chronic inflammatory disease with relapses and remissions. The prognosis varies. Behçet's disease can cause venous or arterial lesions. Vascular involvement contributes to the mortality and morbidity associated with Behçet's disease.

Summary: The cause of thrombosis or vascular events in Behçet's disease remains incompletely understood; several factors have been studied with conflicting results. Vasculitis is considered to underlie several clinical manifestations of Behçet's disease.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Behcet Syndrome*
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Recurrence
  • Risk
  • Vascular Diseases*