Vascular manifestations of Behçet's disease. Eighteen cases among 140 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the features, prognosis, and treatment of vascular involvement in Behçet's disease (BD).


METHODS
Among 140 patients with BD seen at the Hôtel-Dieu Hospital in Beirut between 1980 and 2000, 18 (13%) had vascular involvement and were included in this retrospective study. All these patients fulfilled International Study Group criteria for BD.


RESULTS
Men with BD were more likely to have vascular involvement (13/77, 17%) than women (5/63, 8%) (P = 0.12) and were younger at diagnosis of vascular disease (32 +/- 7 vs. 36 +/- 7.5 years; P < 0.01). Many patients had vascular disease at more than one site: 17 had thrombophlebitis, 10 had arterial thromboses, and one had an aneurysm. Thrombophlebitis was more common in men (82% vs. 18%; P < 0.03) and arterial occlusion in women (70% vs. 30%; P > 0.05). Caval thrombosis and arterial occlusions were the most serious complications. Combined treatment with glucocorticoids, anticoagulants, and immunosuppressants was effective in superior vena cava syndrome and extracranial arterial occlusion.


CONCLUSIONS
Vascular manifestations of BD are common in Lebanon, particularly venous lesions. Aneurysms are seen less often than arterial occlusions. Medical treatment may be sufficient in superior vena cava syndrome and arterial occlusion.
Tohmé
Aline
A
Department of Internal Medicine, Hôtel-Dieu de France Hospital of Beirut, School of Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, rue Adib Ishaac, Beirut, Lebanon. atohme2@inco.com.lb
Aoun
Noël
N
El-Rassi
Bassam
B
Ghayad
Elie
E
D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000925:Anticoagulants; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents