Characteristics of intestinal Behçet's Disease and the comparison of different medications

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical characteristics of gastrointestinal Behcet’s disease in a cohort of South China and compare the efficacy of different medications. Method: We retrospectively revised the medical record of a cohort of BD patients admitted to the first affiliated university hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2005 and March 2017. Demographic information, gastrointestinal symptoms and extra-intestinal manifestations, laboratory findings, disease activity index (DAIBD), imaging characteristics and managements were documented. Results: Records of 1648 Behcet’s disease cases were reviewed, of which, 187 cases were diagnosed of intestinal BD. Intestinal BD was more commonly found in male (73.3%) and male showed a significantly higher rate of gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Higher frequency of eye involvements and musculoskeletal involvements, less skin lesions were noted in the intestinal BD group. Abdominal pain and abdominal distension were the most common symptoms observed. Ileal/Ileocecal region was the most commonly affected under endoscopy. Mesenteric vessel lesions were not frequently detected but associated with poor prognosis. Most intestinal BD cases could be controlled with corticosteroid and immunosuppressors. CTX showed longer recurrence duration than AZA or MTX as maintenance therapy. Conclusion: Intestinal Behcet’s diseases could be difficult to diagnosis and associated with severe complications. Male is more commonly involved and had higher rate of severe complications. Mesenteric vessel lesions were not frequently detected but associated with poor prognosis. Corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and TNF blockers were effective for most patients. As maintenance therapy, CTX was more effective than AZA or MTX. *Correspondence to: Fan Lian, Department of Rheumatology & Clinical Immunology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China, Tel: 008613922263595; E-mail: lianfan_l@hotmail.com