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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffBehcet's (beh-CHETS) disease, also called Behcet's syndrome, is a rare disorder that causes chronic inflammation in blood vessels throughout your body. The exact cause of Behcet's is unknown, but it may be an autoimmune disorder, which means the body's immune system mistakenly attacks some of its own healthy cells. Both genetic and environmental factors may be responsible for Behcet's disease.
The inflammation of Behcet's disease leads to numerous symptoms that may initially seem unrelated. The signs and symptoms of Behcet's disease — which may include mouth sores, eye inflammation, skin rashes and lesions, and genital sores — vary from person to person and may come and go on their own.
Treatment aims to reduce the signs and symptoms of Behcet's disease and to prevent serious complications, such as blindness.
- Mendes D, et al. Behcet's disease — A contemporary review. Journal of Autoimmunity 2009;32:178.
- Mendoza-Pinto C, et al. Etiopathogenesis of Behcet's disease. Autoimmunity Reviews. 2010;9:241.
- Smith EL. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of Behcet's disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 26, 2010.
- Questions and answers about Behcet's disease. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Behcets_Disease/default.asp. Accessed Aug. 26, 2010.
- Smith EL, et al. Treatment of Behcet's disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 26, 2010.
- Calamia KT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Sept. 6, 2010.
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