Investigation of Behçet's Disease and Recurrent Aphthous Stomatitis Frequency: The Highest Prevalence in Turkey

Abstract

Methods: Overall, 85 separate exemplification groups were formed to reflect the population density, and the demographic data of the region they represent. In the first stage, the individuals, who were selected in random order, were invited to a Family Physician Unit at a certain date and time. The dermatological examinations of the volunteering individuals were performed by only 3 dermatology specialists. In the second stage, those individuals who had symptoms of BD were invited to our hospital, and the Pathergy Test and eye examinations were performed. Results:The annual prevalence of RAS was determined as 10.84%. The annual prevalence was determined to be higher in women than in men (p=0.000). It was observed that the prevalence was at the peak level in the 3 rd decade, and then decreased proportionally in the following decades (p=0.000). It was also observed that the aphtha recurrence decreased in the following decades (p=0.048). The Behçet's prevalence was found to be 0.60%. The prevalence in women was found to be higher than in men (0.86% female, 0.14% male; p=0.022). Conclusion: While the RAS prevalence ratio was at an average value when compared with the other societies; the BD prevalence was found as the highest ratio in the world according to the literature.

Behçet's disease: review with emphasis on dermatological aspects

“…Clinically, they are practically indistinguishable from recurrent oral aphthosis. 10 However, features that favor the diagnosis of BD include the number of ulcers (> 6), synchronous occurrence of more than one clinical variant, diffuse enanthem, and soft palate and oropharyngeal involvement. Rigorous clinical follow-up is the best resource for diagnostic elucidation.…”

A systematic review and meta-analysis of acupuncture treatment for oral ulcer

“…[ 4 ] Among the general population, the incidence of OU is 5% to 20%. [ 5 – 7 ] The primary lesion is neither a vesicle or a blister, but direct ulceration caused by epithelial necrosis exceeds the basement membrane, exposes nerve endings and causes discomfort or pain. Clinically, they present with painful ulcerations of different sizes, round or oval and clean edges.…”

Knitting the Threads of Silk through Time: Behçet’s Disease—Past, Present, and Future

“…Previously thought to have an equal sex distribution, BD appears to have a male preponderance in Turkey [ 13 , 14 , 16 ], the Middle East, and Central Europe [ 28 ]; however, females predominate in Northwest Europe [ 5 , 6 ] and the Far East [ 24 – 26 , 29 , 30 ]. Certain regional/geographical differences may exist; for example, pathergy phenomenon and ocular lesions are less commonly seen in the West [ 31 – 33 ], while gastrointestinal manifestations are more commonly seen in the Far East [ 34 ].…”