National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Behçet disease

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Other Names:
Behçet's syndrome; Behçet syndrome; BD; Behçet's syndrome; Behçet syndrome; BD; Behcet syndrome; Behcet's disease; Behçet’s disease; Behcet's syndrome; Behçet's disease See More
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Behçet disease is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by ulcers affecting the mouth and genitals, various skin lesions, and abnormalities affecting the eyes. In some people, the disease also results in arthritis (swollen, painful, stiff joints), skin problems, and inflammation of the digestive tract, brain, and spinal cord.[1][2][3] Although it can happen at any age, symptoms generally begin when individuals are in their 20s or 30s. The disease is common in Japan, Turkey and Israel, and less common in the United States.[2] The exact cause of Behçet disease is still unknown, but it is thought that it is an autoimmune disease, where the abnormal immune activity is triggered by exposure to an environmental agent (such as an infection) in people with a genetic predisposition to develop the disease. Research show that people with Behçet’s disease, especially those of Middle Eastern and Asian descent, have an increased frequency of certain “human leukocyte antigens” (HLAs), specifically HLA-B51, than the general population, which may increase the risk (predispose) to have the disease.[1][2][3] 

Treatment is symptomatic and supportive. Research is being conducted on the use of interferon-alpha and with agents which inhibit tumor necrosis factor (TNF) for the treatment of Behçet disease. Behçet disease is a lifelong disorder that comes and goes. Spontaneous remission over time is common for individuals with Behçet disease but permanent remission of symptoms has not been reported.[1][2]
Last updated: 5/3/2018
The signs and symptoms of Behçet disease include recurrent ulcers in the mouth and on the genitals, and eye inflammation (uveitis). It usually begins when people are in their 20s or 30s, although it can happen at any age. It tends to occur more often in men than in women. Behçet disease is a multi-system disease and it may involve all organs of the body. Signs and symptoms may include:[1][2] 
  • Sores inside the mouth or genitals: The earliest symptom of Behçet disease is usually painful canker round or oval sores with reddish borders on the mucous membranes that line the mouth (aphthous stomatitis) or in the skin of the genitalia. They may be shallow or deep and may be single or multiple lesions that typically heal within a few days, up to a week or more, without scarring, but frequently recur.  
  • Eye problems: Symptoms may include inflammation of the back of the eye (posterior uveitis); inflammation of the anterior chamber (anterior uveitis or iridocyclitis); inflammation of the iris accompanied by pain, tearing (lacrimation); and accumulation of pus (hypopyon iritis). The retina may become inflamed resulting in blurred vision, abnormal sensitivity to light (photophobia), and/or inflammation of the thin membranous layer of blood vessels behind the retina (chorioretinitis). Repeated recurrences may result in the partial loss of vision (decreased visual acuity) or complete blindness if the disease is uncontrolled. In some cases, eye abnormalities may be the first symptom of Behçet disease or they may not develop until several years after the sores of the mouth.
  • Pus-filled lesions and other problems on the skin: Some affected individuals, especially females, may develop lesions that resemble those of erythema nodosum, a skin disorder characterized by the formation of tender, reddish, inflammatory nodules on the front of the legs. These nodules disappear on their own (spontaneously) sometimes leaving faint scars or discoloration (pigmentation). Some people with Behçet disease may develop small eruptions that resemble acne (acneiform eruptions) and/or inflammation that mistakenly appear to affect the hair follicles on the skin (pseudofolliculitis).
  • Pain in the joints (50% of cases): Affected individuals have pain (arthralgia) and swelling in various joints (knees, wrists, elbows and ankles), before, during, or after the onset of the other symptoms.
  • Recurring ulcers in the digestive tract: Symptoms vary from mild abdominal discomfort to severe inflammation of the large intestine and rectum accompanied by diarrhea or bleeding.
  • Problems of the central nervous system (10%-20% of the cases): These symptoms usually appear months or years after the initial symptoms of Behçet disease. Recurring attacks of inflammation involving the brain (parenchymal Neuro-Behçet) or the membranes that surround the brain or spinal cord (meningitis) can result in neurological damage. Symptoms may include headache, cranial nerve palsies, the inability to coordinate voluntary movement (cerebellar ataxia), impaired muscle movements of the face and throat, stroke, memory loss and/or, rarely, seizures.
  • Inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis): Involvement of small vessels is thought to drive many of the problems that the disorder causes. In some instances inflammation of the large veins, particularly those in the legs may occur along with the formation of blood clots (thrombophlebitis). The walls of an involved artery may bulge forming a sac (aneurysm). In very rare cases, blood clots from the veins travel to the lungs (pulmonary emboli) resulting in episodes of chest pain, coughing, difficult or labored breathing (dyspnea), and coughing up blood (hemoptysis).
It is especially important to identify Behçet disease when there is ocular, central nervous system or large blood vessel involvement because these as manifestations are usually the most serious.[1]
Last updated: 5/3/2018

This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.

Showing of 78 |
Medical Terms Other Names
Learn More:
HPO ID
80%-99% of people have these symptoms
Arthritis
Joint inflammation
0001369
Fatigue
Tired
Tiredness
[ more ] 		0012378
Fever 0001945
Meningitis 0001287
Migraine
Intermittent migraine headaches
Migraine headache
Migraine headaches
[ more ] 		0002076
Myalgia
Muscle ache
Muscle pain
[ more ] 		0003326
Nausea and vomiting 0002017
Oral ulcer
Mouth ulcer
0000155
Orchitis
Inflammation of testicles
0100796
Papule 0200034
Photophobia
Extreme sensitivity of the eyes to light
Light hypersensitivity
[ more ] 		0000613
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis
Recurrent canker sores
0011107
Subcutaneous nodule
Firm lump under the skin
Growth of abnormal tissue under the skin
[ more ] 		0001482
Vasculitis
Inflammation of blood vessel
0002633
30%-79% of people have these symptoms
Abdominal pain
Pain in stomach
Stomach pain
[ more ] 		0002027
Abnormal blistering of the skin
Blistering, generalized
Blisters
[ more ] 		0008066
Acne 0001061
Arthralgia
Joint pain
0002829
Confusion
Disorientation
Easily confused
Mental disorientation
[ more ] 		0001289
Gait disturbance
Abnormal gait
Abnormal walk
Impaired gait
[ more ] 		0001288
Gastrointestinal hemorrhage
Gastrointestinal bleeding
0002239
Hemiparesis
Weakness of one side of body
0001269
Immunologic hypersensitivity 0100326
Venous thrombosis
Blood clot in vein
0004936
5%-29% of people have these symptoms
Abnormal myocardium morphology 0001637
Abnormal pyramidal sign 0007256
Anorexia 0002039
Aortic regurgitation 0001659
Arterial thrombosis
Blood clot in artery
0004420
Ataxia 0001251
Avascular necrosis
Death of bone due to decreased blood supply
0010885
Blindness 0000618
Cataract
Clouding of the lens of the eye
Cloudy lens
[ more ] 		0000518
Cerebral ischemia
Disruption of blood oxygen supply to brain
0002637
Cranial nerve paralysis 0006824
Developmental regression
Loss of developmental milestones
Mental deterioration in childhood
[ more ] 		0002376
Encephalitis
Brain inflammation
0002383
Endocarditis 0100584
Gangrene
Death of body tissue due to lack of blood flow or infection
0100758
Glomerulopathy 0100820
Hemoptysis
Coughing up blood
0002105
Hyperreflexia
Increased reflexes
0001347
Increased intracranial pressure
Rise in pressure inside skull
0002516
Irritability
Irritable
0000737
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Dry eyes
0001097
Lymphadenopathy
Swollen lymph nodes
0002716
Malabsorption
Intestinal malabsorption
0002024
Memory impairment
Forgetfulness
Memory loss
Memory problems
Poor memory
[ more ] 		0002354
Mitral regurgitation 0001653
Myocardial infarction
Heart attack
0001658
Myositis
Muscle inflammation
0100614
Pancreatitis
Pancreatic inflammation
0001733
Paresthesia
Pins and needles feeling
Tingling
[ more ] 		0003401
Pericarditis
Swelling or irritation of membrane around heart
0001701
Pleural effusion
Fluid around lungs
0002202
Pleuritis
Inflammation of tissues lining lungs and chest
0002102
Pulmonary embolism
Blood clot in artery of lung
0002204
Pulmonary infiltrates
Lung infiltrates
0002113
Renal insufficiency
Renal failure
Renal failure in adulthood
[ more ] 		0000083
Retinopathy
Noninflammatory retina disease
0000488
Retrobulbar optic neuritis 0100654
Seizure 0001250
Splenomegaly
Increased spleen size
0001744
Vertigo
Dizzy spell
0002321
Weight loss 0001824
Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO
Autosomal recessive inheritance 0000007
Chorioretinitis 0012424
Decreased level of D-mannose in urine 0410060
Epididymitis 0000031
Erythema 0010783
Erythema nodosum 0012219
Genital ulcers 0003249
Hypopyon 0031615
Iridocyclitis 0001094
Iritis
Inflammation of iris
0001101
Patchy alopecia
Patchy baldness
0002232
Raynaud phenomenon 0030880
Superficial thrombophlebitis 0002638
Showing of 78 |
Last updated: 7/1/2020
The exact cause of Behçet disease is unknown. Most symptoms of the disease are caused by inflammation of the blood vessels (vasculitis). Inflammation is a characteristic reaction of the body to injury or disease and is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain. Doctors think that an autoimmune reaction may cause the blood vessels to become inflamed, but they do not know what triggers this reaction. Under normal conditions, the immune system protects the body from diseases and infections by killing harmful "foreign" substances, such as germs, that enter the body. In an autoimmune reaction, the immune system mistakenly attacks and harms the body's own tissues. Behçet disease is not contagious; it does not spread from one person to another.[3]

Researchers think that two factors are important for a person to develop Behçet disease:[3][4]
  • First, it is believed that abnormalities of the immune system make some people susceptible to the disease. Scientists think that this susceptibility may be inherited; that is, it may be due to one or more specific genes.  People with the disease are more likaly to have certain “human leukocyte antigens” (HLAs) in the blood, especially HLA-B51, than the general population. Other genetic markers and their role in the development of Behçet’s disease are being studied.
  • Second, something in the environment, possibly a bacterium (such as Helicobacter pylori) or virus (such as Herpes simplex virus, and parvovirus B19) or exposition to certain substances (such as heavy metals), might trigger or activate the disease in susceptible people.
Last updated: 5/3/2018
Although there is no cure for Behçet disease, people can usually control symptoms with proper medication, rest, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. The goal of treatment is to reduce discomfort and prevent serious complications such as disability from arthritis or blindness. The type of medicine and the length of treatment depend on the person's symptoms and their severity. It is likely that a combination of treatments will be needed to relieve specific symptoms. Patients should tell each of their doctors about all of the medicines they are taking so that the doctors can coordinate treatment.[3]

Topical medicine is applied directly on the sores to relieve pain and discomfort. For example, doctors prescribe rinses, gels, or ointments. Creams are used to treat skin and genital sores. The medicine usually contains corticosteroids (which reduce inflammation), other anti-inflammatory drugs, or an anesthetic, which relieves pain.[3]

Doctors also prescribe medicines taken by mouth to reduce inflammation throughout the body, suppress the overactive immune system, and relieve symptoms. Doctors may prescribe one or more of the medicines listed below to treat the various symptoms of Behçet disease.[3] Interferon-alfa, azathioprine, and TNF-α blockers may be tried in rare cases of patients with resistant, prolonged, and disabling attacks.[5]

The European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) has recommendations for the management of Behçet disease.

For ocular disease, azathioprine is the first medication that should be used. For severe eye disease (such as drop in visual acuity, retinal vasculitis, or macular involvement), either cyclosporine A or infliximab may be used in combination with azathioprine and corticosteroids. Interferon-alfa, alone or in combination with corticosteroids, appears to be a second choice in this eye disease.[6] 
Last updated: 5/3/2018
Most people with Behçet disease can lead productive lives and control symptoms with proper medicine, rest, and exercise. Doctors can use many medicines to relieve pain, treat symptoms, and prevent complications. When treatment is effective, flares usually become less frequent. Many patients eventually enter a period of remission (a disappearance of symptoms). In some people, treatment does not relieve symptoms, and gradually more serious symptoms such as eye disease may occur. Serious symptoms may appear months or years after the first signs of Behçet disease.[3]
Last updated: 5/3/2018

If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.

If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.

You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.

Healthcare Resources

Related diseases are conditions that have similar signs and symptoms. A health care provider may consider these conditions in the table below when making a diagnosis. Please note that the table may not include all the possible conditions related to this disease.

Conditions with similar signs and symptoms from Orphanet
Depending upon manifestations, infectious uveitis, relapsing polychondritis, sarcoidosis, antiphospholipid syndrome, Takayasu arteritis, Crohn disease or multiple sclerosis (see these terms) may be considered.
Visit the Orphanet disease page for more information.

Research helps us better understand diseases and can lead to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This section provides resources to help you learn about medical research and ways to get involved.

Clinical Research Resources

  • The Centers for Mendelian Genomics program is working to discover the causes of rare genetic disorders. For more information about applying to the research study, please visit their website.
  • ClinicalTrials.gov lists trials that are related to Behçet disease. Click on the link to go to ClinicalTrials.gov to read descriptions of these studies.

    Please note: Studies listed on the ClinicalTrials.gov website are listed for informational purposes only; being listed does not reflect an endorsement by GARD or the NIH. We strongly recommend that you talk with a trusted healthcare provider before choosing to participate in any clinical study.
  • The Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool (RePORT) provides access to reports, data, and analyses of research activities at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), including information on NIH expenditures and the results of NIH-supported research. Although these projects may not conduct studies on humans, you may want to contact the investigators to learn more. To search for studies, enter the disease name in the "Text Search" box. Then click "Submit Query".

Patient Registry

  • The Autoimmune Registry supports research for Behçet disease by collecting information about patients with this and other autoimmune diseases. You can join the registry to share your information with researchers and receive updates about participating in new research studies. Learn more about registries.
  • The Vasculitis Clinical Research Consortium (VCRC) is an integrated group of academic medical centers, patient support organizations, and clinical research resources dedicated to conducting clinical research in different forms of vasculitis. The VCRC has a contact registry for patients who wish to be contacted about clinical research opportunities and updates on the progress of the VCRC research projects.

    For more information on the registry see: https://www.rarediseasesnetwork.org/cms/vcrc/About-Us

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

Social Networking Websites

  • RareConnect has an online community for patients and families with this condition so they can connect with others and share their experiences living with a rare disease. The project is a joint collaboration between EURORDIS (European Rare Disease Organisation) and NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders).

Organizations Providing General Support

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • Genetics Home Reference (GHR) contains information on Behçet disease. This website is maintained by the National Library of Medicine.
  • The Johns Hopkins Vasculitis Center website provides information about different types of vasculitis. Click on the link to access information about Behcet's disease.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • The National Eye Institute (NEI) was established by Congress in 1968 to protect and prolong the vision of the American people. Click on the link to view information on this topic. 
  • The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) support research into the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders. Click on the link to view information on this topic.
  • The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has a report for patients and families about this condition. NORD is a patient advocacy organization for individuals with rare diseases and the organizations that serve them.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Monarch Initiative brings together data about this condition from humans and other species to help physicians and biomedical researchers. Monarch’s tools are designed to make it easier to compare the signs and symptoms (phenotypes) of different diseases and discover common features. This initiative is a collaboration between several academic institutions across the world and is funded by the National Institutes of Health. Visit the website to explore the biology of this condition.
  • Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) is a catalog of human genes and genetic disorders. Each entry has a summary of related medical articles. It is meant for health care professionals and researchers. OMIM is maintained by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. 
  • Orphanet is a European reference portal for information on rare diseases and orphan drugs. Access to this database is free of charge.
  • PubMed is a searchable database of medical literature and lists journal articles that discuss Behçet disease. Click on the link to view a sample search on this topic.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know.

  1. Calamia KT. Behcet's Syndrome. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). 2018; http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/100/viewAbstract.
  2. NINDS Behcet's Disease Information Page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS). 2017; https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Behcets-Disease-Information-Page.
  3. Questions and Answers about Behçet’s Disease. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). 2015; http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Behcets_Disease/default.asp.
  4. Smith EL, & Yazici Y. Pathogenesis of Behçet syndrome. UpToDate. January 17, 2018; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/pathogenesis-of-behcet-syndrome.
  5. Alnaimat FAA. Behcet Disease. Medscape Reference. 2016; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/329099-overview.
  6. Bashour M. Ophthalmologic Manifestations of Behcet Disease Treatment & Management. Medscape Reference. 2016; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1229174-treatment.