MRCP revision battle 25.2: Behcets disease

Behcet's disease is a systemic vasculitis of unknown cause.


The classic triad of Behcet's disease is:

• oral ulcers
• genital ulcers
• anterior uveitus

which I remember as GOA, like the place in India.



Other possible features include:

• thrombophlebitis
• DVT
• erythema nodosum
• pathergy reaction (=needle prick leads to pustule formation)
• arthritis
• aseptic meningitis
• ataxia
• diarrhoea

Males are more commonly affected than females.
It is commonest in Turkey and Japan.
30% of patients have a positive family history.


HLA B5 is associated with anterior uveitis and HLA B12 is associated with recurrent ulceration.


Severe disease requires steroids/ciclosporin/azathioprine.


Next up - SAH...