Behçet's syndrome

Lancet. 2024 Mar 16;403(10431):1093-1108. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)02629-6. Epub 2024 Feb 22.

Abstract

Behçet's syndrome is a rare, chronic multisystemic inflammatory disorder also known as the Silk Route disease due to its geographical distribution. Behçet's syndrome is a multifactorial disease and infectious, genetic, epigenetic, and immunological factors contribute to its pathogenesis. Its heterogeneous spectrum of clinical features include mucocutaneous, articular, ocular, vascular, neurological, and gastrointestinal manifestations that can present with a relapsing and remitting course. Differential diagnosis is often hampered by the non-specific clinical presentation and the absence of laboratory biomarkers or pathognomonic histological features. The therapeutic approach is tailored on the basis of patient-specific manifestations and relies on glucocorticoids, colchicine, and traditional and biological immunosuppressants. Despite progress in the knowledge and management of the disease, unmet needs in diagnostics, monitoring, prediction, and treatment personalisation challenge clinical practice, making Behçet's syndrome a complex disorder associated with an increased risk of morbidity.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Behcet Syndrome* / complications
  • Behcet Syndrome* / diagnosis
  • Behcet Syndrome* / drug therapy
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / therapeutic use
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Glucocorticoids