Behçet's Disease, Pathogenesis, Clinical Features, and Treatment Approaches: A Comprehensive Review

Medicina (Kaunas). 2024 Mar 29;60(4):562. doi: 10.3390/medicina60040562.

Abstract

Behçet's disease is a systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. The disease manifests with diverse clinical symptoms, most commonly recurrent oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and uveitis, though it can affect multiple organ systems. Diagnosis is primarily clinical due to the lack of a definitive diagnostic test, and management involves a multidisciplinary approach to control inflammation and manage symptoms. Current treatment strategies involve corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and, increasingly, biological therapies. Behçet's disease exhibits a higher prevalence along the Silk Road, suggesting a role of environmental and genetic factors. Despite significant progress in understanding its clinical characteristics and treatment approaches, gaps remain in our understanding of its pathogenesis. Future research is needed to elucidate the disease's pathophysiology and optimize treatment strategies.

Keywords: Behçet’s disease; epidemiology; pathogenesis clinical features; treatment approaches.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Behcet Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Behcet Syndrome* / physiopathology
  • Behcet Syndrome* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Immunosuppressive Agents

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.