Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most prevalent neurological disease among young adults. Because of the chronic nature of this disease, it is important to assess quality of life in these patients. The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life -29 (MSQOL-29) questionnaire which contains two main scales, Physical Health Composite (PHC) and Mental Health Composite (MHC), has been designed for this goal. The purpose of the present study is to translate and validate a Persian version of MSQOL-29 (P-MSQOL-29). Methods Using the forward–backward translation method, a panel of experts established the content validity of P-MSQOL-29. It was then administered to 100 patients with MS who also completed the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha was used to assess the internal consistency of P-MSQOL-29. Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used to analyze the concurrent validity when correlating the items of P-MSQOL-29 to SF-12. Results Mean (Standard Deviation) of PHC and MHC for all patients was 51 (16.4), and 58 (23), respectively. Cronbach's alpha was 0.7 for PHC and 0.9 for MHC. Thirty patients completed the questionnaire again after 3–4 weeks, Intraclass Correlation Coeffiecient (ICC) was 0.80 for PHCs and 0.85 for MHCs (both P values < 0.01). A moderate to high correlation was detected between MHC/PHC and the corresponding scales of SF-12 (MHC with Mental Component Score: ρ = 0.55; PHC with Physical Component Score: ρ = 0.77; both P values < 0.01). Conclusion P-MSQOL-29 is a valid and reliable questionnaire and can be used for assessing quality of life in patients with MS.

Behcet’s disease (BD) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that is mainly characterized by involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, genital tract and joints. The disease is more common in the Middle Eastern and Far Eastern countries and the frequency of recurrences and attacks varies among populations. Although the pathogenesis is not fully understood, there is evidence to suggest that immunodeficiency and specific patterns of production of immune regulatory mediators are important. Impaired autoimmune and inflammatory cells, target endothelial cells and prompt vasculitis in the involved organs. Elucidating the immunological mechanism of BD can facilitate the development of new therapies and therapeutic immunoregulatory interventions to prevent possible complications. New therapies, including manipulation of immune-regulating mediators such as interferon-alpha antagonists, have shown promising results in patients with BD. This review aims to consider the role of auto-inflammatory and autoimmune processes and related factors which give rise to the different manifestations of the disease in each involved organ.

Behcet’s disease (BD) is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease that is mainly characterized by involvement of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, genital tract and joints. The disease is more common in the Middle Eastern and Far Eastern countries and the frequency of recurrences and attacks varies among populations. Although the pathogenesis is not fully understood, there is evidence to suggest that immunodeficiency and specific patterns of production of immune regulatory mediators are important. Impaired autoimmune and inflammatory cells, target endothelial cells and prompt vasculitis in the involved organs. Elucidating the immunological mechanism of BD can facilitate the development of new therapies and therapeutic immunoregulatory interventions to prevent possible complications. New therapies, including manipulation of immune-regulating mediators such as interferon-alpha antagonists, have shown promising results in patients with BD. This review aims to consider the role of auto-inflammatory and autoimmune processes and related factors which give rise to the different manifestations of the disease in each involved organ.