Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Behçet’s Disease

Abstract

Behçet's disease is a rare vasculitis diagnosed by the presence of recurrent oral ulcers and two of the following: genital ulcers, typical eye lesions, typical skin lesions, and positive pathergy test. It is most commonly seen in countries along the ancient silk road from Eastern Asia to the Mediterranean Basin. Young adults between the second and fourth decades of life are mainly affected, with abdominal pain being the most common symptom. The ileocecal region is most commonly affected, with ulcerations that may penetrate or perforate. Rarely, the esophagus and stomach may have ulcerations. Bowel wall thickening is the most common finding on computed tomography (CT) scan. Pathology shows a vasculitis mainly involving the small veins or, alternatively, nonspecific inflammation. Corticosteroids, with or without other immunosuppressive drugs, are used for severe eye disease. Their use in intestinal disease is largely empirical. Surgery may be required for perforation. Behçet's disease runs a chronic, unpredictable course with exacerbations and remissions which decrease in frequency and severity over time. Death is mainly due to major vessel disease and neurological involvement.

The Evaluation of Solid Phase Gastric Emptying in Patients with Behcet’s Disease

“…Localization of ulcers are often on the antrum. Gastric involvement can present with abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding [1,9,10]. The main factor affecting the empyting of solid foods is the motor activity of antrum.…”

The Role of Biological Therapies in the Management of Systemic Vasculitis

“…Gastrointestinal involvement is one of the most frequent features in patients with Behçet's disease from Japan, Taiwan and Northern Europe -ranges from 30% to 50% -while the frequency in Turkey and Western Asia is low -about 5% (Ebert, 2009;Yacizi et al, 2010). Beside mouth ulcers, Behçet's disease predominantly affects small and large bowel, especially around ileocecal region.…”

Juvenile Behсet's Disease: Clinical Observation

“…Однако в нашем случае не наблюдалось «типичных» язвенных изменений слизи-стой оболочки кишечника и их локализации [11]. По дан-ным большинства исследователей, наиболее часто при болезни Бехчета поражается илеоцекальный отдел кишечника [25,26], хотя в ряде публикаций указывается, что в патологический процесс может вовлекаться любой сегмент желудочно-кишечного тракта [14,27].…”