Abstract: The overlap syndrome is a vague entity in the group of connective tissue diseases. It is unclear whether it is fortuitous association of two or more connective tissue diseases (CTD), or a distinct disease. The early description of this syndrome was "a collection symptoms of CTD and the existence of anti - nRNP antibody". Many studies however, show that the anti - nRNP antibody is not specific for diagnosis. The ...
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: Oral aphthosis (OA) is seen in 96% of patient with Behcet’s Disease (BB) OA is said to be rather frequent in the general population. It was therefore interesting to determine whether OA in the general population had also a genetic background as it is for BD. It was also interesting to determine if the genetic background was similar in both conditions (BD and OA in the general population). Therefore, ...
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: Posterior uveitis (PU) and retinal vasculitis (RV) usually progress toward severe loss of vision or blindness, if not aggressively treated. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Pulse Cyclophosphamide (PCP) in a cohort study. Methods: This study includes all patients treated with PCP from 1986 to 1998, for active PU and or RV. PCP was administered as Ig cvclophosphamide/m2/body surface, once per month. Prednisolone was given ...
Abstract: The objective of this study was to compare the clinical manifestations of scleroderma(Scl) and overlap syndrome(Scl/PM). Seventy four patients with thirty five months symptoms duration of scleroderma (sixty five women, nine men) and fifteen with thirty two months symptoms duration of overlap (nine women , six men) were studied over a period of 8 years. The mean age at the disease onset was 31.8 years in Scl and 31.6 years ...
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: BD has been reported to be associated with ankylosing .spondylitis (AS) in many cases. We observed spondyloarthropathy (SpA) in our Behcet's patients more than in the normal population of Iran which is 0.18% (p
Abstract: Introduction: Vascular involvement, as a hallmark of Behcet’s disease (BD), involves arteries and veins of all size and may be a poor prognostic sign. Like the other manifestations of the disease, its prevalence varies widely according to the reports from different parts of the world (7.7 to 60%). The difference may be due to ethic variation or environmental factors. The aim of this study is to find the characteristics of ...
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: ...