Behçet disease: our experience

Abstract Objective: Behçet’s disease is a systemic inflammatory vasculitis of unknown etiology. It can virtually reach all systems, being common ocular manifestations. The aim of this study was to analyze patients with ocular Behcet’s disease regarding demographic parameters, clinical manifestations, therapeutic approach and main complications. Methods: Descriptive and retrospective study, including 11 patients diagnosed with ocular Behcet’s disease, according to the ISG criteria, observed in the Ocular Inflammation appointment of the Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando da Fonseca in the last 3 years. Results: We identified 11 patients, 5 males and 6 females, all caucasian. The mean age at diagnosis was 33.45 ± 6.49 years. Ocular manifestation was the first sign of the disease in 2 patients. In 72.7% of the cases, ocular manifestations were bilateral. There were four cases of panuveitis, 3 of posterior uveitis, 2 of anterior uveitis, 1 of keratitis and 1 case of episcleritis. Glaucoma and cataract were the most frequent ocular complications. Systemic treatment included oral corticosteroid therapy in combination with adjuvant immunosuppressive therapy, and the most commonly used was azathioprine and cyclosporine. In 3 patients there was a need for biological treatment with infliximab to control the disease. Conclusion: The most frequent ocular manifestation was panuveitis. This disease can promote eye complications with an irreversible decrease in visual acuity. Orientation of these patients requires a global and interdisciplinary approach.