Behcet Disease Follow-up

  • Author: Augusto C Posadas, MD; Chief Editor: Herbert S Diamond, MD   more...
 
Updated: Aug 26, 2011
 

Further Inpatient Care

Inpatient care is based on individual organ-system involvement.

In general, no further care is needed.

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Further Outpatient Care

As disease activity subsides, taper medications to the lowest dose that effectively controls the symptoms and disease activity.

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Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

Inpatient and outpatient medication are the same (see Medication). All agents discussed above have been found to be effective in controlling the manifestations of Behçet disease.

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Transfer

Individualize the transfer situation for each patient based on the specifics of organ-system involvement.

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Deterrence/Prevention

Continual use of immunosuppressive medications may be required to suppress disease. Use the lowest dose required to control the manifestations of illness.

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Complications

Aneurysms are especially feared.

Thrombotic events and vasculitis may lead to ischemia distal to vascular lesions.

Uncontrolled ophthalmologic involvement in the form of anterior and posterior uveitis can lead to vision loss.

Neurologic involvement suggests progressive disease and can lead to permanent deficits or even death.

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Prognosis

Prognosis is related to the site and severity of involvement.

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Patient Education

For excellent patient education resources, visit eMedicine Arthritis Center, Eye and Vision Center, and Teeth and Mouth Center. Also, see eMedicine patient education articles Canker Sores, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and Iritis.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Augusto C Posadas, MD  Rheumatologist, Saguaro Physician Group, Tucson, AZ

Disclosure: Abbott Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Coauthor(s)

Jeffrey R Lisse, MD, FACP  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Chief, Section of Rheumatology, University of Arizona School of Medicine

Jeffrey R Lisse, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American College of Rheumatology, American Geriatrics Society, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Genentech Consulting fee Consulting; Centacor Consulting fee Consulting; Novartis Consulting fee Review panel membership

Specialty Editor Board

Kristine M Lohr, MD, MS  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Center for the Advancement of Women's Health and Division of Rheumatology, Director, Rheumatology Training Program, University of Kentucky College of Medicine

Kristine M Lohr, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and American College of Rheumatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Lawrence H Brent, MD  Associate Professor of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University; Chair, Program Director, Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Albert Einstein Medical Center

Lawrence H Brent, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Association of Immunologists, American College of Physicians, and American College of Rheumatology

Disclosure: Genentech Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Genentech Grant/research funds Other; Amgen Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Abbott Immunology Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Takeda Honoraria Speaking and teaching; UCB Speaking and teaching; Omnicare Consulting fee Consulting; Centocor Consulting fee Consulting

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP  Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Alex J Mechaber, MD, FACP is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, and Society of General Internal Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Herbert S Diamond, MD  Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine; Chairman Emeritus, Department of Internal Medicine, Western Pennsylvania Hospital

Herbert S Diamond, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American College of Physicians, American College of Rheumatology, American Medical Association, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Merck Ownership interest Other; Smith Kline Ownership interest Other; Zimmer Ownership interest Other

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Oral aphthous ulcers secondary to Behçet disease.
 
 
 
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