Behçet's disease: general concepts and recent advances

Abstract

To summarize general concepts of Behçet's disease, as well as present recent scientific developments in delineating the pathogenesis and treatment of this disorder. Large, long-term follow-up studies on patients with Behçet's disease have shown improved visual outcomes in recent years when compared with decades ago, presumably due to the more aggressive use of immunosuppressive agents. Increased T-helper cell type 1 activity and increased hypercoagulability continue to be a focus of research into the pathogenesis of the disease. Advanced oxidation protein products and a Behçet's disease activity index may be useful tools for following disease activity. Finally, studies of new treatment modalities, particularly infliximab, interferon-alpha and granulocytapheresis, have reported encouraging results. Historically a scourge among uveitic disorders, there is new hope for improved long-term visual outcomes in patients with Behçet's disease based on recent scientific advances.