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Understand Behçet’s Disease

Physician perspective on Behçet’s Disease

In my experience, when a patient is told they have Behçet’s Disease, they often feel relieved. They may have been having symptoms for years without knowing what was wrong. We discuss next steps, and we work together to create a plan. I tell them that Behçet’s Disease is an inflammatory disorder, and that helps because many patients have an idea of what inflammation is.

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— Kenneth T. Calamia, MD

Professor of Medicine
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
Consultant, Mayo Clinic Florida

Behçet’s Disease differs from many other rare diseases. There is no blood or imaging test available to confirm a diagnosis of Behçet’s Disease, and the diagnosis is based on clinical manifestations. With the exception of the oral ulcers, the initial manifestation can vary significantly from patient to patient and also depending on geographic location. While we don’t know what causes Behçet’s Disease, it is interesting that there seems to be both genetic and environmental factors at work.

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— Yusuf Yazici, MD

Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine
New York University School of Medicine

People living with Behçet’s Disease

 

The different manifestations of Behçet’s Disease can affect the physical and mental health of patients, ultimately impacting quality of life (QoL). Mucocutaneous lesions are the hallmark of Behçet’s Disease. Oral ulcers are the most common onset manifestation and contribute substantially to diminished QoL as a result of their debilitating impact on daily functions such as chewing, swallowing, and speaking.1-5

 

Clinical symptoms of Behçet’s Disease may also have a
psychological impact on patients3

  • Low self-esteem
  • Negative effect on body image due to scarring
  • Pain in the body may cause depression, anxiety, fear, tension, and loss of concentration
  • Negative effect on sexual function
  • Negative effect on social relationships
  • Difficulty in fulfilling roles and obligations due to pain in the body and limitation of daily activities

People with Behçet’s Disease experience
significantly impaired QoL3,4,6*

pain-icon

Pain/Discomfort

fatigue-icon

Fatigue

mobility-icon

Problems with Mobility

activities-icon

Problems Performing Usual Activities

sleep-icon

Sleep Disturbances

Quality of life is impacted by the type and number of symptoms as well as disease activity3

*Across multiple measures of QoL, including SF-36, WHO-QOL100, and EQ-5D.3,4,6

I try keeping track of my own symptoms, and I try to log it into a book. Then when I go to the doctor, I have a list of questions. I also take a lot of photographs. If I have a skin lesion or an oral ulcer, I’ll have a photograph to show the doctor when I go to my appointment because it may not be there the day you have your appointment.

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Belinda

A patient diagnosed
with Behçet’s Disease

If you suspect a patient may have Behçet’s, consider a rheumatology consult.

Download information on how to recognize Behçet’s Disease here.

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Help raise awareness of the
challenges of Behçet’s Disease and reduce
the delay in diagnosis

The quality of life for people with Behçet’s Disease can be quite poor, with manifestations that involve multiple organ systems and disrupt everyday activities.2,3,6,7 Sharing the below information via social media will help raise awareness of Behçet’s Disease and may even prevent a delay in its diagnosis.

Share to Raise Awareness

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References:

1. Kural-Seyahi E, Fresko I, Seyahi N, et al. The long-term mortality and morbidity of Behçet syndrome: a 2-decade outcome survey of 387 patients followed at a dedicated center. Medicine (Baltimore). 2003;82(1):60-76. 

2. Senusi A, Higgins S, Fortune F. The influence of oral health and psycho-social well-being on clinical outcomes in Behçet’s disease. Rheumatol Int.. 2018;38(10):1873-1883. 

3. Canpolat O, Yurtsever S. The quality of life in patients with Behçet’s disease. Asian Nurs Res (Korean Soc Nurs Sci). 2011;5(4):229-235. 

4. Ertam I, Kitapcioglu G, Aksu K, et al. Quality of life and its relation with disease severity in Behçet’s disease. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2009;27(2 suppl 53):S18-S22. 

5. Mumcu G, Inanc N, Ergun T, et al. Oral health related quality of life is affected by disease activity in Behçet’s disease. Oral Dis. 2006;12(2):145-151. 

6. Bernabé E, Marcenes W, Mather J, Phillips C, Fortune F. Impact of Behçet’s syndrome on health-related quality of life: influence of the type and number of symptoms. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2010;49(11):2165-2171. 

7. Barnes CG. History and diagnosis. In: Yazıcı Y, Yazıcı H, eds. Behçet’s Syndrome. New York, NY: Springer; 2010:7-33. 

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