BEHÇET’S DISEASE
Information about the disease
THE DISEASE
Behçet’s disease is a rare chronic and relapsing disease.
It is generally characterized by recurrent orogenital ulcers, ocular inflammation and skin manifestations. However, the disease can involve other organs and systems, such as joints, blood vessels and the gastrointestinal and neurological systems.
The onset of symptoms typically occurs between 20 and 40 years of age. Less frequently it occurs in children and after 50 years of age. The origin of the disease remains unknown to date, although the most likely hypothesis is that it is a multifactorial mechanism in which environmental factors, genetic predisposition and immunological alterations may play a decisive role.
Typically, the clinical course may be characterized by periods of remission (absence of specific symptoms) and exacerbation (presence of specific symptoms); moreover, Behçet’s disease can present with milder forms, characterized by mucocutaneous and joint involvement, or more severe forms characterized by ocular, neurological, vascular or gastrointestinal involvement. The treatment of Behçet’s disease involves the use of immunosuppressive and cortisone drugs; for the purpose of setting the most appropriate therapy for the individual case, it is necessary to carry out a series of tests (blood chemistry analyzes and specialist assessments) aimed at getting a more accurate picture of the disease and personalizing the therapy based on the extent of the manifestations present and the impact that these manifestations have on the quality of life.
BehçeTalk
BehçetTalk is an educational and support program for patients, family members and caregivers living with Behçet’s disease. BehçetTalk is an initiative promoted by Behçet Clinic Pisa and by SIMBA – Associazione Italiana sindrome, malattia di Behçet e Behçet like – ODV, the Italian association dealing with Behçet’s e Behçet-like disease.
