Behçet's syndrome: New insights into pathogenesis and management

Publication date: Available online 18 October 2014 Source:Indian Journal of Rheumatology Author(s): Yesim Ozguler , Hasan Yazici Behçet's syndrome (BS) is a multisystem vasculitis with an unknown etiology and an unique geographic distribution. The pathogenesis of BS is complex and currently not fully understood. Since the 1970's there have been different attempts to classify BS within the specific group of diseases such as spondyloarthritis, autoimmune and more recently autoinflammatory disease. However current evidence suggests that BS does not easily fit into any one of these diseases and we propose the possibility that the construct we take as BS might represent more than one disease. The management of BS usually depends on clinical presentation and organ involvement. Traditional immunosuppressives and concomitant use of corticosteroids have been the main therapeutic choice for many years. There is growing experience with biologic therapeutics especially with tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) antagonists in the management of refractory eye, gastrointestinal and neurologic involvement in BS. In this review we have proposed a different perspective about the disease mechanisms of BS and have summarized the current management strategies in BS in the light of available evidence.
Source: Indian Journal of Rheumatology - Category: Rheumatology Source Type: research