clinical features

Last reviewed 01/2018

The clinical features of Behcet's disease comprise:

  • arthritis:
    • polyarthritis
    • polyarthralgia of large joints

  • mucocutaneous:
    • oral, vulval, vaginal, penile and scrotal ulcers which heal by scarring
    • blistering of the skin following trivial trauma e.g. venepuncture
    • pustules and folliculitis

  • ocular:
    • iridocyclitis
    • anterior uveitis
    • hypopyon
    • optic atrophy

  • neurologic:
    • multiple sclerosis and parkinsonism-like disorders
    • dementia
    • meningoencephalitis and brainstem problems

  • others:
    • venous thrombosis
    • thrombophlebitis
    • abdominal pain
    • nausea, anorexia and diarrhoea
    • haemoptysis
    • erythema nodosum
    • erythema multiforme

Ref: Amman AJ, Johnsons A, Fyfe GA, et al., Behcet syndrome., J Pediatrics (1985); 107: 41.