| Theme | Gastrointestinal Tract Disease and Skin Manifestation | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Behcet's Disease | |
| Publish Date | 1999/12 | |
| Author | Etsuo Hoshino | Department of Medicine, Teikyo University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] | Patients with ulcerative lesions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract who fulfill the diagnostic criteria of Behcet's disease are diagnosed as having entero Behcet's disease(EB). The estimated number of patients with EB is 4,000 in Japan. The male to female ratio is 1:1. The mean age of onset of GI lesions was 40 years old. GI lesions can occur in any part of the GI tract. Well demarcated, round or oval shaped ulcers in the ileocecal region are typical of findings related to EB. Some patients have GI lesions similar to those of Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Some patients have scattered round or aphthoid ulcers in the small and/or large intestines. Others have multiple ulcers with fistula and/or perforations which lead to septic shock or short bowel syndrome. Histological findings show non-specific inflammation. Drugs, especially corticosteroids, are the first-1ine of therapy. Usually initial dosages of prednisolone are 30 to 60 mg/day, followed by gradual dose reduction to 5 to 15 mg/day, which is the standard maintenance dose for most of these cases. Mesalazine, salazosulfapyridine, colchicine, immunosuppressants, or Kampo herbal formulas are also used. Patients who are regularly checked and treated by an experienced physician rarely develop serious complications. |
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