Rheumatology: Current Research
Open Access

Beh�et�s disease: An update on the treatment

International Conference and Exhibition on Orthopedics & Rheumatology

August 13-15, 2012 Hilton Chicago/Northbrook, USA

Necati Cakir

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Rheumatology & Orthopedics

Abstract :

Volume 2, Issue 3 - 64 Rheumatology ISSN: 2161-1149 Rheumatology, an open access journal Orthopedics & Rheumatology-2012 August 13-15, 2012 International Conference and Exhibition on Orthopedics & Rheumatology August 13-15, 2012 Hilton Chicago/Northbrook, USA B eh�et�s disease(BD) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease, mainly characterised by recurrent episodes of oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions and uveitis. Aphtous oral mucosa ulcers are usually the initial clinical manifestation. Pulmonary artery aneurysms are well known causes of mortality and morbidity in BD. Althouh the highest prevalence figures with 20-420 cases/100.000 were reported in Turkey, BD is mostly encountered in the Mediterranean and Middle and Far East countries. The condition seems to be the leading cause of acquired blindness in certain countries like Japan and Turkey. Also it has been reported that it increases mortality. Recent findings have both supported the significance of genetic factors and better defined the nature of inflammation in Beh�et�s disease. Patients with Beh�et�s disease have a heightened inflammatory reaction which is most clearly manifested by the pathergy test and the inflammatory response to intradermal injected monosodium urate crystals (MSU). The treatment of Beh�et�s disease various from topical treatment to high doses of immunosuppressive drugs depending on the presence and severity of symptoms. Colchicine is recommended for mucocutanous lesions and arthalgia. Thalidomide is also effective in the teratment of the mucocutanous lesions of BD. Eye disease is treated with immunosuppressivses. Cyclosporin A and Azathioprine are the most effective agents that have been reported in controlled studies. TNF alpha blockers and IFN alpha are recommended for sever ocular disease. Cyclophosphamide alone or combination with steroids is used in the treatment of arterial and central nervous system involvement of the Beh�et�s disease. Immunosuppressive treatment significantly reduces venous thrombosis relapses in BD.

Biography :

Necati Cakir is Professor and Chief of Rheumatology Clinic, Faith Sultan Mehmet Research and Educational Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Professor Necati ?ak�?±r received his medical degree from the Medical Faculty of University of Istanbul, Turkey where he began his training at the Institute of Physiology and subsequently the Department of Medicine. After completing his training in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology at the University of Istanbul, He went on to study as a research fellow at the University of Boston, USA. Professor ?akir?s major scientific interests have been in clinical research, the epidemiology of rheumatic diseases, pathogenesis of Beh?et? s disease, auto-inflammatory diseases