The History and Diagnosis of Behçet’s Disease

Abstract

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic vasculitis of unknown aetiology, initially reported by Turkish dermatologist Hulusi Behçet in 1937. Hulusi Behçet presented the disease as a triple symptom complex with recurrent aphthosis, genital ulceration and recurrent hypopyon uveitis. But subsequent studies have shown that it can affect many organs with wide clinical spectrum. It is challenging to make a definite diagnosis because there is no pathognomic laboratory test to diagnose Behçet's disease. The diagnosis is based on variable group of clinical manifestations. Many new diagnostic/classification criteria have been developed through the years.International Study Group (ISG) Criteria and the International Criteria for Behçet's Disease (ICBD) are the most commonly acceptable criteria for the diagnosis of BD. However, due to the broad clinical spectrum of Behçet's disease, there will always be Behçet's patients who do not complete the criteria. Therefore, the experience of the physician and evaluation of the findings with a good clinical anamnesis is of great importance in the diagnosis.

Behcet's disease: Diagnosed as isolated recurrent oral aphthae; a case report

“…In addition, they may be the first manifestation of the disease in 10–20% of cases [ 7 , 8 ]. Multiple criteria have been suggested as guides for diagnosis, although some cases remain undiagnosed [ 9 ]. The American Criteria of Rheumatology (ACR) put five criteria for diagnosis: oral aphthae, genital aphthae, skin features, eye involvement, and positivity of pathergy test [ 10 ].…”