Behcet's Disease

Behcet's disease is a rare, chronic, lifelong disorder that involves inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. Symptoms of Behcet's disease include recurrent oral ulcers (resembling canker sores), recurrent genital ulcers, and eye inflammation. The disorder may also cause various types of skin lesions, arthritis, bowel inflammation, and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord).

Behcet's disease generally begins when patients are in their 20s or 30s, although all age groups may be affected. Behcet's is a multisystem disease; it may involve all organs and affect the central nervous system, causing memory loss and impaired speech, balance, and movement. The effects of the disease may include blindness, stroke, swelling of the spinal cord, and intestinal complications.

Treatment for Behcet's disease is symptomatic and supportive. Medication may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and/or regulate the immune system.

Behcet's disease is a lifelong disorder which proceeds over a long period of time in a series of remissions (lack of disease activity) and exacerbations (periods of active disease). The disease is serious and painful but it is not fatal.

Information provided by the
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke,
National Institutes of Health

Each year, Medical College of Wisconsin physicians care for more than 180,000 patients, representing nearly 500,000 patient visits. Medical College physicians practice at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, and many other hospitals and clinics in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin.