From the Guidelines
Behcet's disease symptoms typically include recurrent mouth sores (aphthous ulcers), genital ulcers, eye inflammation (uveitis), and skin lesions, as established by the diagnostic criteria set by the International Group for Behçet’s disease 1. The disease is characterized by a set of symptoms that include oral ulceration and at least two of the following: recurrent genital ulceration, uveitis or retinal vasculitis, or skin lesions such as erythema nodosum, pseudofolliculitis, or pathergy 1. Some key symptoms of Behcet's disease are:
- Recurrent mouth sores (aphthous ulcers) that heal without scarring but frequently recur
- Genital ulcers that appear similar to mouth sores but may leave scars
- Eye inflammation (uveitis) that can cause blurred vision, pain, redness, and potentially lead to blindness if untreated
- Skin manifestations including acne-like bumps, nodules, and erythema nodosum (painful red bumps on the legs)
- Joint pain and swelling (arthritis)
- Blood clots in veins or arteries
- Digestive tract inflammation with abdominal pain and diarrhea
- Neurological symptoms such as headaches, fever, disorientation, or stroke-like symptoms The disease follows a pattern of flares and remissions, with symptoms varying widely among individuals, and diagnosis is challenging as no specific test exists, and symptoms overlap with other conditions, often requiring evaluation by rheumatologists or other specialists familiar with the disease 1.
From the Research
Symptoms of Behcet's Disease
The symptoms of Behcet's disease are varied and can affect multiple organs. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Recurrent oral aphthae (mouth ulcers) 2, 3
- Genital ulcers 2, 3
- Variable skin lesions, such as erythema nodosum and papulopustular lesions 2
- Arthritis 2
- Uveitis (inflammation of the eye) 2, 4, 5
- Thrombophlebitis (inflammation of the veins) 2, 5
- Gastrointestinal involvement, including abdominal pain, ulcerations, and bowel wall thickening 6
- Central nervous system involvement, including necrotizing vasculitis 3, 5
Ocular Manifestations
Ocular manifestations are common in Behcet's disease, affecting 70-85% of patients 5. These can include:
- Anterior uveitis (inflammation of the front part of the eye) 4, 5
- Necrotizing retinal vascular lesions 5
- Uveitis can be an initial symptom in 10-20% of cases and can lead to blindness in 16-25% of patients 4
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms of Behcet's disease can include: