Behcet's disease

Behcet’s disease - also known as Behcet’s syndrome - is a rare condition that causes inflammation of the blood vessels.

The most common symptoms of Behcet’s disease are:

• mouth ulcers, and
• genital ulcers.

However, Behcet’s disease can also cause inflammation of the:

• eyes,
• joints,
• skin,
• nervous system,
• veins,
• arteries,
• the heart, and
• the digestive system.

The cause of Behcet’s disease is unknown, but the immune system seems to play an important part in the development of the condition.

How common is Behcet’s disease?

Behcet’s disease seems to occur mainly in eastern Asia, the Middle East, and eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey has the highest number of cases of Behcet’s disease, where it is estimated that between 110-420 people in every 100,000 will develop it. There is also a higher than average prevalence of the condition in Japan. Behcet’s disease is rare in the UK, where it affects around 1 in 100,000.  

People of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Asian origin are thought to be at most at risk of developing Behcet’s disease, although it can affect all ethnic groups.

Behcet's disease is more common in men than women of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern origin, but is more common in women than men of Asian origin.

The symptoms of Bechet’s disease tend to be more severe in men.

Prognosis

Behcet’s disease is a highly unpredictable health condition. Most people with the condition will experience episode where symptoms are severe followed by periods of remission. There also seems to be no identifiable triggers that cause a flare-up of symptoms.

In the most serious cases of Behcet’s disease, inflammation of the eyes can lead to permanent blindness, while inflammation of the nervous system, veins and arteries, or heart can be life-threatening. A recent study looking at Turkish patients over a 20 year period, found that almost 10% died as a result of Behcet’s disease.

There is no cure for Behcet’s disease, but it is possible to control the symptoms of the condition by using medicines that suppress the immune system (immunosuppressants).

Glossary

Chronic

Chronic usually means a condition that continues for a long time or keeps coming back

Immune system

The immune system is the body's defence system, which helps protect it from disease, bacteria and viruses.

Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's response to infection, irritation or injury, which causes redness, swelling, pain and sometimes a feeling of heat in the affected area

Blood

Blood supplies oxygen to the body and removes carbon dioxide. It is pumped around the body by the heart

Blood vessels

Blood vessels are the tubes in which blood travels to and from parts of the body. The three main types of blood vessels are veins, arteries and capillaries