| Theme |
Systemic disease-associated intestinal involvement -- Intestinal Behçet's disease and its differential diagnosis |
| Title |
Epidemiology and diagnostic criteria for intestinal Behçet's disease |
| Author |
Tadakazu Hisamatsu |
Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyorin University School of Medicine |
| [ Summary ] |
Behçet's disease is an intractable systemic inflammatory disease characterized by four main symptoms including recurrent oral aphthous lesions. Intestinal Behçet's disease is classified as a special type. Diagnosis of intestinal Behçet's disease requires that the ileocecal endoscopic typical lesions and diagnostic criteria for Behçet's disease be met. Patients with intestinal BD sometimes require emergency surgery due to perforation or bleeding. High postoperative recurrence and reoperation rates are also problematic. Although medical treatment has been conducted empirically, clinical trials of anti-TNF antibody agents were performed in Japan and anti-TNF antibody agents have been positioned as standard treatments for moderate and severe disease. In Japan, consensus statements have been made and new medical treatment guidelines are being developed. |