Profile of Behcet's Disease at Van and Vicinity

Abstract

Aim: Behcet's disease is a chronic, progressive disease with an unknown etiology and involves many organs and systems. Although the disease can be encountered at different regions on earth, prevalence and clinical findings of the disease may demonstrate differences due to local and geographical specifications. Methods: We report epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 65 patients with Behcet disease during four years in Van and vicinity. Results: The patients, mean age was 32.8 years (16-72 years) and the disease was more common between 21 and 40 years. The sex ratio was 1.4 (38 men - 27 women). Frequencies of the clinical features were as follows: oral aphthae (100%), genital ulcer (84.6%), cutaneous findings (61.1%), ocular (40%) neurological (27.6%), articular (52.3%), vascular (16.9%), gastrointestinal (27.6%), epididymitis (3%) and positive pathergy test (46.1%). Conclusion: We thought that, this first description of data about BD in Van and vicinity might be helpful for researchers.