Questions and Answers About Behcet's Disease.This fact sheet contains general information about Behcet's (buh.SETZ SETZ Set Byte if Zero ) disease. It describes what Behcet's disease Behçet's disease Behçet syndrome An idiopathic multisystem condition most common in the Middle East; ♂:♀ ratio 2:1, aged 15–40 Clinical Pustules, aphthous stomatitis–90%, genital ulcers; vasculitis; erythema nodosa–80%, is and how it may develop. It also explains how Behcet's disease is diagnosed and treated. At the end is a list of key words to help you understand the terms used in this fact sheet. If you have further questions after reading this fact sheet, you may wish to discuss them with your doctor. * What Is Behcet's Disease? * Who Gets Behcet's Disease? * What Causes Behcet's Disease? * What Are the Symptoms of Behcet's Disease? * How Is Behcet's Disease Diagnosed? * What Kind of Doctor Treats a Patient With Behcet's Disease? * How Is Behcet's Disease Treated? * What Is the Prognosis for a Person With Behcet's Disease? * What Are Researchers Trying To Learn About Behcet's Disease? * Where Can People Get More Information About Behcet's Disease? * Acknowledgments * Key Words What Is Behcet's Disease? The disease was first described in 1937 by Dr. Helusi Behcet, a professor of dermatology in Istanbul. Behcet's disease is now recognized as a chronic condition that causes sores or ulcers in the mouth and on the genitals, and inflammation in parts of the eye. In some people, the disease also results in arthritis (swollen, painful, stiff joints) and inflammation of the digestive tract digestive tract n. See alimentary canal. Digestive tract The organs that perform digestion, or changing of food into a form that can be absorbed by the body. , brain, and spinal cord spinal cord, the part of the nervous system occupying the hollow interior (vertebral canal) of the series of vertebrae that form the spinal column, technically known as the vertebral column. . Who Gets Behcet's Disease? Behcet's disease is common in the Middle East, Asia, and Japan, but rare in the United States. In Middle Eastern and Asian countries, the disease affects more men than women. In the United States, the opposite is true. Behcet's disease tends to develop in people in their twenties or thirties, but people of all ages can develop it. What Causes Behcet's Disease? The exact cause of Behcet's disease is unknown. Most of the symptoms are caused by inflammation of the blood vessels Blood vessels Tubular channels for blood transport, of which there are three principal types: arteries, capillaries, and veins. Only the larger arteries and veins in the body bear distinct names. , particularly veins. Inflammation is the body's characteristic reaction to injury or disease and is marked by four signs: swelling, redness, heat, and pain. Doctors think that an autoimmune reaction may cause blood vessels to become inflamed, but they do not know what triggers this reaction. In an autoimmune reaction, the immune system immune system Cells, cell products, organs, and structures of the body involved in the detection and destruction of foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. Immunity is based on the system's ability to launch a defense against such invaders. mistakenly attacks and harms the body's own tissues. Under normal conditions, the immune system protects the body from diseases and infections by killing harmful "foreign" substances, such as germs, that enter the body. Behcet's disease is not contagious and does not spread from one person to another. Researchers think that two factors are probably important in its development. First, it is believed that abnormalities of the immune system make some people susceptible to the disease. Researchers think that this problem may be inherited; that is, it may be due to one or more specific genes. Second, something in the environment, possibly a bacterium or virus, might trigger or activate the disease in susceptible people. Researchers have found that people who have frequent strep strep adj. Streptococcal. n. Streptococcus. infections (caused by Streptococcus streptococcus (strĕp'təkŏk`əs), any of a group of gram-positive bacteria, genus Streptococcus, some of which cause disease. bacteria) are more likely to develop Behcet's disease. What Are the Symptoms of Behcet's Disease? Behcet's disease affects each person differently. Some people have only mild symptoms, such as skin sores or ulcers in the mouth or on the genitals. Others have more severe disease, such as meningitis or inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis can cause fever, a stiff neck, and headaches. More severe symptoms usually appear months or years after a person notices the first signs of Behcet's disease. Symptoms can last for a long time or can come and go in a few weeks. Typically, symptoms appear, disappear, then reappear. The times when a person is having symptoms are called flares. To help the doctor diagnose Behcet's disease and monitor its course, patients may want to keep a record of the symptoms that occur and when they occur. Because many conditions mimic Behcet's disease, physicians must observe symptoms to make an accurate diagnosis. The four most common symptoms of Behcet's disease are mouth sores, genital sores, inflammation of parts of the eye, and arthritis. * Mouth sores--Mouth sores (known as oral aphthosis and aphthous stomatitis aphthous stomatitis n. See canker sore. Aphthous stomatitis A specific type of stomatitis presenting with shallow, painful ulcers. Also known as canker sores. ) affect almost all patients with Behcet's disease. They are often the first symptom that a person notices and may occur long before any other symptoms appear. The sores usually have a red border and several may appear at the same time. They can be painful and make eating difficult. Mouth sores go away in 10 to 14 days but often come back. Small sores usually heal without scarring, but larger ones may scar. * Genital sores--Affecting more that half of all people with Behcet's disease, most genital sores appear on the scrotum scrotum: see testis. in men and vulva vulva /vul·va/ (vul´vah) [L.] the external genital organs of the female, including the mons pubis, labia majora and minora, clitoris, and vestibule of the vagina. in women. The sores look similar to mouth sores and may be painful. After several outbreaks, they may cause scarring. * Uveitis uveitis Inflammation of the uvea, the middle coat of the eyeball. Anterior uveitis, involving the iris or ciliary body (containing the muscle that adjusts the lens) or both, can lead to glaucoma and blindness. (yoo.vee.EYE.tis)--Inflammation of the middle part of the eye (the uvea uvea (u´ve-ah) the tunica vasculosa of the eyeball, consisting of the iris, ciliary body, and choroid.u´veal u·ve·a n. ), including the iris, occurs in more than half of all people with Behcet's disease. This symptom is more common among men than women and typically begins within 2 years of the first symptoms. Eye inflammation can cause blurred vision and, rarely, pain and redness. Because partial loss of vision or blindness can result if the eye frequently becomes inflamed, patients should report these symptoms to their doctor immediately. * Arthritis--Inflammation of the joints occurs in more than half of all patients with Behcet's disease. Arthritis causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints, especially the knees, ankles, wrists, and elbows. Arthritis that results from Behcet's disease usually lasts a few weeks and does not cause permanent damage to the joints. In addition to mouth and genital sores, eye inflammation, and arthritis, Behcet's disease may cause other skin problems, blood clots Blood Clots Definition A blood clot is a thickened mass in the blood formed by tiny substances called platelets. Clots form to stop bleeding, such as at the site of cut. , and inflammation in the central nervous system and digestive organs. Skin Problems Behcet's disease causes various skin sores that look like red bumps on a black-and-blue mark. The sores are red, raised, and typically appear on the legs and upper torso. In some people, sores or lesions may appear when the skin is scratched or pricked. When doctors suspect that a person may have Behcet's disease, they may perform a test called pathergy in which they prick the skin with a small needle: 1 to 2 days after the test, people with Behcet's disease may develop a bump where the doctor pricked the skin. Doctors disagree about the usefulness of a pathergy test because Behcet's patients in the United States rarely have a skin reaction. However, more than half of the patients in Middle Eastern countries and Japan do have a reaction. Blood Clots About 10 percent of patients with Behcet's disease have blood clots resulting from inflammation in the veins (thrombophlebitis thrombophlebitis: see phlebitis. ), usually in the legs. Symptoms include pain and tenderness in the affected area, which may also be swollen and warm. Because thrombophlebitis can have severe complications, people should report symptoms to their doctor immediately. A few patients may experience artery problems such as aneurysms (a stretching or expanding of a weakened blood vessel blood vessel n. An elastic tubular channel, such as an artery, a vein, a sinus, or a capillary, through which the blood circulates. blood vessel(s), n the network of muscular tubes that carry blood. ). Central Nervous System Behcet's disease affects the central nervous system in about 10 percent of all patients with the disease. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord and helps the body to coordinate movements and process information. Behcet's disease can cause meningoencephalitis-- inflammation of the brain and the thin membrane that covers and protects it. People with meningoencephalitis meningoencephalitis /me·nin·go·en·ceph·a·li·tis/ (me-ning?go-en-sef?ah-li´tis) inflammation of the brain and meninges. toxoplasmic meningoencephalitis may have fever, headache, stiff neck, and difficulty coordinating movement, and should report any of these symptoms to their doctor immediately. If this condition is left untreated, a stroke can result. Digestive Tract Only rarely does Behcet's disease cause inflammation and ulceration ulceration /ul·cer·a·tion/ (ul?ser-a´shun) 1. the formation or development of an ulcer. 2. an ulcer. ul·cer·a·tion n. 1. Development of an ulcer. 2. (sores) in the digestive tract and lead to stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting. Because these symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other diseases of the digestive tract, such as a peptic ulcer peptic ulcer: see ulcer. peptic ulcer Sore that develops in the mucous membrane of the stomach (more frequent in women) or duodenum (accounting for 80% of ulcers and more frequent in men) when its ability to resist acid in gastric juice is reduced. , ulcerative colitis ulcerative colitis Inflammation of the colon, especially of its mucous membranes. The inflamed membranes develop patches of tiny ulcers, and the diarrhea contains blood and mucus. , and especially Crohn's disease Crohn's disease: see colitis. , careful evaluation is essential. How Is Behcet's Disease Diagnosed? Diagnosing Behcet's disease is very difficult because no specific test confirms it. Less than half of the patients initially thought to have Behcet's disease actually have it. The doctor must examine a patient with symptoms and rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. Because it may take several months or even years for all the common symptoms to appear, the diagnosis may not be made for a long time. A patient may even visit several different kinds of doctors before the diagnosis is made. These symptoms are key to diagnosing Behcet's disease: * Mouth sores at least three times in 12 months * Any two of the following symptoms: recurring genital sores, eye inflammation with loss of vision, skin lesions Skin Lesions Definition A skin lesion is a superficial growth or patch of the skin that does not resemble the area surrounding it. Description Skin lesions can be grouped into two categories: primary and secondary. , or positive pathergy (skin prick test). Besides finding these signs, the doctor must rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as Crohn's disease and Reiter's syndrome Reiter's Syndrome Definition Reiter's syndrome (RS), which is also known as arthritis urethritica, venereal arthritis, reactive arthritis, and polyarteritis enterica, is a form of arthritis that affects the eyes, urethra, and skin, as well as the joints. . The doctor may also recommend that the patient see an eye specialist to identify possible complications related to eye inflammation. What Kind of Doctor Treats a Patient With Behcet's Disease? Because the disease affects different parts of the body, a patient will probably see several different doctors. It may be helpful to both the doctors and the patient for one doctor to manage the complete treatment plan. This doctor can coordinate treatment and monitor any side effects Side effects Effects of a proposed project on other parts of the firm. from the various medications the patient takes. A rheumatologist rheumatologist /rheu·ma·tol·o·gist/ (roo?mah-tol´ah-jist) a specialist in rheumatology. rheu·ma·tol·o·gist n. A specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatic disorders. (a doctor specializing in arthritis) olden old·en adj. Of, relating to, or belonging to time long past; old or ancient: olden days. [Middle English : old, old; see old + -en, adj. manages the patient's overall treatment and treats joint disease. The following specialists treat other symptoms that affect different body systems: * Gynecologist--treats genital sores in women. * Urologist--treats genital sores in men. * Dermatologist--treats genital sores in men, and skin and mucous membrane mucous membrane n. A membrane lining all body passages that communicate with the exterior, such as the respiratory, genitourinary, and alimentary tracts, and having cells and associated glands that secrete mucus. Also called mucosa. problems. * Ophthalmologist--treats eye inflammation. * Gastroenterologist--treats digestive tract symptoms. Neurologist--treats central nervous system symptoms. How Is Behcet's Disease Treated? Although there is no cure for Behcet's disease, people can usually control their symptoms with proper medication, rest, and exercise. Treatment goals are to reduce discomfort and prevent serious complications such as disability from arthritis or blindness. The type of medicine and the length of treatment depend on the person's symptoms and their severity. It is likely that a combination of treatments will be needed to relieve specific symptoms. Patients should tell each of their doctors about all of the medicines they are taking so that the doctors can coordinate treatment. Topical Medicine Topical medicine is applied directly on the sores to relieve pain and discomfort. For example, doctors prescribe rinses to treat mouth sores. Creams are used to treat skin and genital sores. The medicine usually contains corticosteroids Corticosteroids Definition Corticosteroids are group of natural and synthetic analogues of the hormones secreted by the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis, more commonly referred to as the pituitary gland. , which reduce inflammation, or an anesthetic, which relieves pain. Oral Medicine Doctors also prescribe medicines taken by mouth to reduce inflammation throughout the body, suppress the overactive o·ver·ac·tive adj. Active to an excessive or abnormal degree: an overactive child. o immune system, and relieve symptoms. Doctors may prescribe one or more of the medicines described below to treat the various symptoms of Behcet's disease. * Corticosteroids--Prednisone is a corticosteroid corticosteroid /cor·ti·co·ster·oid/ (-ster´oid) any of the steroids elaborated by the adrenal cortex (excluding the sex hormones) or any synthetic equivalents; divided into two major groups, the glucocorticoids and prescribed to reduce pain and swelling throughout the body in people with severe joint pain and inflammation, skin sores, eye disease, or central nervous system symptoms. Patients must carefully follow the doctor's instructions about when to take prednisone prednisone (prĕd`nĭsōn): see corticosteroid drug. and how much to take. It is also important not to stop taking the medicine suddenly because it alters the body's production of the natural corticosteroid hormones. Long-term use of prednisone can have side effects such as osteoporosis, weight gain, delayed wound healing wound healing Physiology The repair of a wound Steps Inflammation, repair and closure, remodeling, final healing; repair of incisions may be either simple–'clean' wounds with little loss of tissue heal by 'primary intention', or 'dirty' wounds heal by , persistent heartburn heartburn, burning sensation beneath the breastbone, also called pyrosis. Heartburn does not indicate heart malfunction but results from nervous tension or overindulgence in food or drink. , and elevated blood pressure. However, these side effects are rare when prednisone is taken at low doses for a short time. It is important that patients see.. their doctor regularly to monitor possible side effects. * Immunosuppressive Immunosuppressive Any agent that suppresses the immune response of an individual. Mentioned in: Antirheumatic Drugs, Graft-vs.-Host Disease, Immunosuppressant Drugs immunosuppressive 1. pertaining to or inducing immunosuppression. 2. drugs--Medicines (including corticosteriods) that help control an overactive immune system, such as is the case in people with Behcet's disease, reduce inflammation throughout the body and can lessen the number of flares. Doctors may use of drugs when a person has eye disease or central nervous system involvement. These medicines are very strong and can have serious side effects. Patients must see their doctor regularly for blood tests to detect and monitor side effects. Depending on the person's specific symptoms, doctors may use one or more of the following immunosuppressive drugs: * Azathioprine--Most commonly prescribed for people with organ transplants because it suppresses the immune system, azathioprine azathioprine: see metabolite. is now used to treat uveitis and central nervous system involvement in Behcet's disease. This medicine can upset the stomach and may reduce the production of new blood cells blood cells, n.pl the formed elements of the blood, including red cells (erythrocytes), white cells (leukocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes). blood cells See erythrocyte and leukocyte. Platelets are classed separately. by the bone marrow. * Chlorambucil--Doctors use chlorambucil chlorambucil /chlor·am·bu·cil/ (klor-am´bu-sil) an alkylating agent from the nitrogen mustard group, used as an antineoplastic. chlor·am·bu·cil n. to treat uveitis and meningoencephalitis. People taking chlorambucil must see their doctor frequently because it can have serious side effects, such as permanent sterility and cancers of the blood. Patients need regular blood tests to monitor blood counts of white cells and platelets. * Cyclosporine--Like azathioprine, doctors prescribe this medicine for people with organ transplants. When used by patients with Behcet's disease, cyclosporine cyclosporine /cy·clo·spor·ine/ (-spor´en) a cyclic peptide from an extract of soil fungi that selectively inhibits T cell function; used as an immunosuppressant to prevent rejection in organ transplant recipients and to treat severe reduces uveitis and central nervous system involvement. To reduce the risk of side effects, such as kidney and liver disease Liver Disease Definition Liver disease is a general term for any damage that reduces the functioning of the liver. Description The liver is a large, solid organ located in the upper right-hand side of the abdomen. , the doctor can adjust the dose. Patients must tell their doctor if they take any other medicines, because some affect the way the body uses cyclosporine. * Colchicine--Commonly used to treat gout gout, condition that manifests itself as recurrent attacks of acute arthritis, which may become chronic and deforming. It results from deposits of uric acid crystals in connective tissue or joints. , which is a form of arthritis, colchicine colchicine (kŏl`chəsēn'), alkaloid extracted from plants of the genus Colchicum and especially from the corms of the autumn crocus, Colchicum autumnale (see meadow saffron). reduces inflammation throughout the body. The medicine is sometimes used to treat eye inflammation and skin symptoms in patients with Behcet's disease. Common side effects of colchicine include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The doctor can decrease the dose to relieve these side effects. If these medicines do not reduce symptoms, doctors may use other drugs such as cyclophosphamide cyclophosphamide /cy·clo·phos·pha·mide/ (-fos´fah-mid) a cytotoxic alkylating agent of the nitrogen mustard group; used as an antineoplastic, as an immunosuppressant to prevent transplant rejection, and to treat some diseases and methotrexate methotrexate, drug used in halting the growth of actively proliferating tissues. Introduced in the 1950s, it is used in the treatment of leukemia, psoriasis, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. . Cyclophosphamide is similar to chlorambucil. Methotrexate, which is also used to treat various kinds of cancer as well as rheumatoid arthritis rheumatoid arthritis Chronic, progressive autoimmune disease causing connective-tissue inflammation, mostly in synovial joints. It can occur at any age, is more common in women, and has an unpredictable course. , can relieve Behcet's symptoms because it suppresses the immune system and reduces inflammation throughout the body. Rest and Exercise Although rest is important during flares, doctors usually recommend moderate exercise, such as swimming or walking, when the symptoms have improved or disappeared. Exercise can help people with Behcet's disease keep their joints strong and flexible. What Is the Prognosis for a Person With Behcet's Disease? Most people with Behcet's disease can lead normal lives and control their symptoms with proper medicine, rest, and exercise. Doctors can use many medicines to relieve pain, treat symptoms, and prevent complications. When treatment is effective, flares usually become less frequent after 1 or 2 years. Many patients eventually enter a period of remission. In some people, however, treatment does not relieve symptoms, and gradually more serious symptoms such as eye disease may occur. Serious symptoms may appear months or years after the first signs of Behcet's disease. What Are Researchers Trying To Learn About Behcet's Disease? Researchers are exploring possible genetic, bacterial, and viral causes of Behcet's disease, as well as improved drug treatment. Researchers hope to identify genes that increase a person's chance of developing the disease. Studying these genes and how they work may lead to a new understanding of the disease and possibly new treatments. Researchers are also investigating factors in the environment, such as a bacterium or virus, that could trigger Behcet's disease. They are particularly interested in whether Streptococcus, the bacterium that causes strep throat Strep Throat Definition Streptococcal sore throat, or strep throat as it is more commonly called, is an infection of the mucous membranes lining the pharynx. Sometimes the tonsils are also infected (tonsillitis). , is associated with the disease. Many people with Behcet's disease have had several strep infections. In addition, researchers suspect that herpes virus Herpes virus Viruses that can infect the skin, mucous membranes, and brain, and they are responsible for such diseases as herpes simplex, chicken pox, and shingles. Mentioned in: Erythema Multiforme type I, a virus that causes cold sores, may be associated with the disease. Finally, researchers are identifying other medicines to better treat Behcet's disease. Thalidomide thalidomide (thəlĭd`əmĭd'), sleep-inducing drug found to produce skeletal defects in developing fetuses. The drug was marketed in Europe, especially in West Germany and Britain, from 1957 to 1961, and was thought to be so safe that , for example, appears effective in treating severe mouth sores, but its use is experimental and very limited. Thalidomide is not used in women of childbearing age because it causes severe birth defects birth defects, abnormalities in physical or mental structure or function that are present at birth. They range from minor to seriously deforming or life-threatening. A major defect of some type occurs in approximately 3% of all births. . Where Can People Get More Information About Behcet's Disease? * Arthritis Foundation 1330 West Peachtree Street Atlanta, GA 30309 404/872-7100 800/872-7800, or call your local chapter (listed in the telephone directory) World Wide Web address: http://www.arthritis.org/ * American Behcet's Disease Association P. O. Box 6663 Minneapolis, MN 55406-0663 800/7BEHCET (800/723-4238) * National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal musculoskeletal /mus·cu·lo·skel·e·tal/ (-skel´e-t'l) pertaining to or comprising the skeleton and muscles. mus·cu·lo·skel·e·tal adj. Relating to or involving the muscles and the skeleton. and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NAMSIC) National Institutes of Health 1 AMS AMS - Andrew Message System Circle Bethesda, MD 20892-3675 301/495-4484 Fax: 301/718-6366 TTY (TeleTYpewriter) See teletypewriter and TDD/TTY. (hardware) tty - /tit'ee/ (ITS pronunciation, but some Unix people say it this way as well; this pronunciation is not considered to have sexual undertones), /T T Y/ 1. teletypewriter. 2. : 301/565-2966 NIAMS NIAMS National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (USA) Fast Facts--For health information that is available by fax 24 hours a day, call 301/881-2731 from a fax machine telephone. World Wide Web address: http://www.nih.gov/niams/ Acknowledgments The NIAMS gratefully acknowledges the assistance of J. Desmond O'Duffy, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic, and Joseph L. Jorizzo, M.D., Wake Forest University Medical Center, in the preparation and review of this fact sheet.
Key Words
Anesthetic: Pain relief medicine that dulls feeling
in the sore area. Doctors sometimes use
an anesthetic to relieve pain caused by
mouth and genital sores in people
with Behcet's disease.
Aneurysm: A stretching or expanding of a weakened
blood vessel.
Antibody: A special protein produced by the body's
immune system that recognizes and helps
fight infectious agents and other foreign
substances that invade the body.
Aphthosis: Ulcers in the mouth or on the genitals.
Oral or mouth aphthosis, also called
aphthous stomatitis, is the most common
symptom of Behcet's disease.
Arthritis: Literally means joint inflammation. It is
a general term for more than 100
conditions known as rheumatic diseases.
Arthritis causes joint swelling, pain,
and stiffness. Some people with Behcet's
disease develop a form of arthritis that
goes away after a few weeks or months and
causes no long-term damage to the joints.
Autoimmune disease: A disease in which the body's immune
system destroys or attacks its own
healthy tissues.
Blood vessels: Arteries, veins, and capillaries that
carry blood through the body.
Central nervous system: Includes the brain and spinal cord. Its
function is to process information and
coordinate thinking and movement. In
some people with Behcet's disease,
blood vessels in the central nervous
system become inflamed, causing
headaches, stiff neck, and clumsiness.
Corticosteroids: Strong anti-inflammatory hormones that
are made naturally in the body or
synthetically for use as medicine. They
are also called glucocorticoids. The
most commonly prescribed drug of this
type is prednisone.
Crohn's disease: Inflammation of the small intestine or
colon that causes diarrhea, cramps, and
weight loss.
Digestive tract: The body system that breaks down food.
The digestive tract includes the stomach,
intestines, pancreas, and liver.
Flare: A period of time when disease symptoms
reappear or become worse.
Immune system: A complex network of specialized cells
and organs that work together to defend
the body against attacks by "foreign"
invaders such as bacteria and viruses.
In some rheumatic conditions, it appears
that the immune system does not function
properly and may even work against the
body.
Immunosuppressive drugs: Medicines that decrease the immune
response and can therefore relieve some
symptoms of Behcet's disease.
Inflammation: A reaction of tissues to injury or
disease, marked by four signs: swelling,
redness, heat, and pain.
Meningitis: Inflammation of the membranes of the
brain or spinal cord.
Meningoencephalitis: Inflammation of the brain and its
membranes. This condition sometimes
occurs in patients with Behcet's disease.
Pathergy: A test that detects skin sensitivity and
is sometimes used to help diagnose
Behcet's disease. The skin is pricked
with a small needle and, in some people,
a bump appears after 1 or 2 days. This
reaction is called positive pathergy.
Peptic ulcer: A sore on the wall of the stomach.
Reiter's syndrome: A form of arthritis that can develop
after an intestinal or urinary tract
infection. The disease causes pain and
swelling around the joints and in the
spine. People with the disease may also
experience swelling of the eye and the
reproductive and urinary tracts.
Streptococcus: A bacterium that causes infections such
as strep throat. Doctors think that it
may also trigger Behcet's disease in
some people.
Thrombophlebitis: Inflammation of a vein and formation of a
blood clot in the vein.
Topical treatment: Medicine, such as a cream or rinse, that
is put directly on the affected body
part.
Ulcerative colitis: Inflammation of the colon. Symptoms
include stomach pain and diarrhea.
Uveitis: Inflammation of the inner eye that
includes the iris, the tissue that holds
the lens of the eye, and a network of
blood vessels surrounding the eyeball
called the choroid plexus.
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, or NIAMS, is an institute of the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. (NIAMS), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leads the Federal medical research effort in arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases. The NIAMS supports research and research training throughout the United States, as well as on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD, and disseminates health and research information. The National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NAMSIC) is a public service sponsored by the NIAMS that provides health information and information sources. Additional information can be found on the NIAMS Web site at http://www.nih.gov/niams/. January 1999 |
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