Behcet's disease: experience in a tertiary rheumatology centre in Singapore and a review of the literature
Cheng, Y.K.; Thong, B.Y.; Chng, H.H.
Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore 33(4): 510-514
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0304-4602 PMID: 15329766 Document Number: 567888
Introduction: The only reported study on Behcet's disease (BD) in Singapore found that only 15% of 34 BD patients managed at a tertiary dermatology centre had arthritis and 6% had eye complications with no other systemic manifestations. The aim of our study was to characterise the clinical manifestations and outcome of patients with BD at a tertiary rheumatology centre in Singapore. Materials and Methods: The International Study Group (ISG) and the O'Duffy (OD) criteria were used. The demographics, manifestations and outcome of our patients with BD were recorded. Results: Thirty-seven patients were included in our study. Twenty-three (62.2%) satisfied both ISG and OD criteria. Fourteen (37.8%) did not fulfil the ISG criteria but fulfilled the OD criteria and of these 6 were the incomplete form and 8 the complete form. The male to female ratio was 1:1.1. The mean age of onset of disease was 32.7 years (range, 15 to 58 years). The commonest presentations were recurrent oral ulcers (37, 100%), genital ulcers (24,64.9%), joint (21, 56.8%) and cutaneous manifestations (18, 48.6%). The most common systemic manifestations were arthritis (16, 43.2%), gastrointestional manifestations (15, 40.5%) and uveitis (13,35.1%). There were 2 cases of Neuro Behcet's and 2 cases of venous thrombosis. Visual impairment from uveitis was the commonest cause of morbidity. There were no deaths in our series of BD. Conclusion: BD is a relatively rare rheumatologic condition in Singapore. However, because its systemic complications are not rare, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are essential.