Abstract: Introduction: The natural history of ocular manifestations is very poor in Behcet's Disease (BD). The lesions progress by successive attacks leading to sever loss of vision or blindness. Aggressive treatments, by the association of cytotoxic drugs and steroids, have dramatically changed the outcome. However, still some ophthalmologists are convinced that the improvement is temporary and in the long run the eyes progress toward blindness. The aim of this study was ...
Abstract: Introduction: The ocular lesions of Behcet's disease (BD) progress usually toward severe loss of vision or blindness, and therefore need aggressive treatment. However, even such a treatment is not always successful. We used classification and regression tree (cart) method to see if some factors could predict the result of the future treatment. Methods: Eight hundreds and thirty patients who fulfilled the Iran criteria for BD were selected for this study. They ...
Abstract: Introduction: Posterior uveitis (PU) and retinal vasculitis (RV) are the main morbidity factor in Behcet’s Disease (BD). They usually progress toward severe loss of vision or blindness. They need aggressive treatment with cytotoxic drugs. Azathioprine was demonstrated, in a double blind control study, to be effective in Behcet’s Disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Azathioprine in ocular lesions of BD, and to compare ...
Abstract: Introduction: The geographical distribution of Behcet's Disease (B.D) is thought to be due to the predisposing factor(s) spread along the Silk Route. It is widely accepted that the predisposing factor(s) is of genetic origin. However the rarity of BD among Hawaiian's Japanese immigrants may be in favor of environmental factors. Iran is situated in the middle of the Silk Route. Caucasians account for 75.4%, Turks (from Mongoloid ethnic origin) for ...
Abstract: Introduction: The etiology of Behcet's disease (BD) is unknown, but like other autoimmune disorders both environmental and genetic factors contribute to its pathophysiology. The familial form of BD is in favor of a genetic predisposition. This study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of the familial form and their possible effect on the disease expression in Iranian patients. Materials & Methods: We studied prospectively 1242 consecutive patients with ...
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: Ocular lesions of Behcet's Disease (BD) progress usually toward severe loss of vision or blindness, if not aggressively treated. Cytotoxic drugs are the main therapeutic arsenals used for it: Low dose methotrexate (MTX) by its safety and its efficacy is one of the best therapeutic choices. MATERIALS &METHODS: MTX was used as 7.5 mg weekly. Prednisolone was associated as 0.5 mg/kg/ daily. Upon the suppression of the inflammatory reaction, prednisolone ...
Abstract: Introduction: Ocular lesions are the leading cause of morbidity in Behcet’s disease (BD). Many factors contribute to the loss of vision in BD, as uveitis, retinal vasculitis, and their secondary complications such as cataract, hemorrhage, vessel necrosis, neovascularization, optic atrophy, etc. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of retinal vasculitis on the evaluation of ocular Behcet’s (OB) and its outcome after an early or late treatment. Materials & ...
Abstract: Behcet's Disease (BD) is classified among the Vasculitides. It is characterized by mucocutaneous and ophthalmologic manifestations and seen mostly in the Northern Hemisphere and in countries along the silk road. The characteristics of BD are presented here in a nation wide analysis of 3443 patients in Iran over a 21 year period. There was a slight male preponderance M.F ratio 1.4:1 (53.3% male/46.7% female). The mean age of onset was ...
Abstract: Introduction: We reported last year, during the ACR annual meeting, the result of different treatment modalities for ocular lesions of BD in 856 patients. We showed that pulse cyclophosphamide (PCP), low dose pulse cyclophosphamide (LDP), oral cyclophosphamide (OCP), weakly methotrexate (MTX), chloambucil (CHL), and cyclosparine A (CYA) had all the same efficacy. The percentage of the eyes aggravated (visual acuity) despite the treatment was: For PCP: 21%, LDP: 22%, OCP: ...
Abstract: Behcet's disease (BD) is not ran in Iran. The annual incidence is around 345 patients for a population of 60 millions. The male/female ratio is 1. 13. The mean age at the onset of the disease is 26.2+9.7 years (CI at 95%=0 .4). The prevalence of clinical signs were as follow: Mucous membrane lesions 96%+0.7 (oral aphthosis 95.7%, genital aphthosis 64%); skin lesions 74%±I.5 (pseudofolliculitis 66%, erythema nodosum 23%): ocular ...