Ocular, systemic manifestations and efficacy of treatment of behcet’s disease patients at King Hussein Medical center

Abstract EN

Objectives: To review ocular and systemic manifestations, and efficacy of systemic treatment of Behcet’s disease patients at King Hussein Medical Center.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the ophthalmology and rheumatology departments at king Hussein Medical Center.

All patients who were diagnosed to have Behcet’s disease according to the International Study Group criteria between January 2012 and April 2017 were included in the study.

Patients with incomplete Behcet’s disease or those who were recently diagnosed to have Behcet’s disease (less than 6 months) were excluded from the study.

Data regarding demographic features was initially collected then patient’s files were reviewed regarding the possession of HLA- B51, systemic manifestations, and complications of the disease.

Type of ocular involvement and ocular complications were studied, and the offered treatment options and their efficacy were evaluated.

Results: One hundred and eleven patients were included.

The mean age of cases was 30.2 years with male predominance (ratio 5:1).

The most common clinical findings was genital ulcers (75.7%) followed by skin lesions (46.8%) and uveitis (32.4%).

Arthralgia and arthritis was the most common systemic complication (14.4%).

The most common eye involvement was vitritis (58.3%) followed by anterior uveitis (55.6%), retinal vasculitis (30.6%), retinitis (8.3%), pan uveitis (8.3%), and optic neuritis (3.8%).

HLA- B51 and pathergy test were positive in 55.9% and 34.2% of cases, respectively.

Colchicine and oral Prednisolone were the most used drugs and infliximab was the most effective single drug used in the treatment of Behcet’s disease Conclusion: After oral ulcers, the most common clinical finding found in Behcet’s disease patients was genital ulcers.

Ocular involvement of Behcet’s disease was relatively uncommon and vitritis was the most common manifestation.

HLA- B51 was significantly associated with ocular involvement.

Infliximab was the most effective drug in controlling the activity of Behcet’s disease.