Long-term clinical outcomes of Crohn's disease and intestinal Behcet's disease

Intestinal Behçet's disease: A review of clinical diagnosis and treatment

Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder prone to frequent recurrences, with a high predilection for intestinal involvement. However, the efficacy and long-term effects of surgical treatment for intestinal BD are unknown. In the current issue of World J Gastrointest Surg, Park et al conducted a retrospective analysis of 31 patients with intestinal BD who received surgical treatment. They found that elevated C-reactive protein levels and emergency surgery were poor prognostic factors for postoperative recurrence, emphasizing the adverse impact of severe inflammation on the prognosis of patients with intestinal BD. This work has clinical significance for evaluating the postoperative condition of intestinal BD. The editorial attempts to summarize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of intestinal BD, focusing on the impact of adverse factors on surgical outcomes. We hope this review will facilitate more precise postoperative management of patients with intestinal BD by clinicians.

SER recommendations on treatment of refractory Behçet's syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To develop multidisciplinary recommendations based on available evidence and expert consensus for the therapeutic management of patients with refractory Behçet's syndrome (BS) (difficult to treat, severe resistant, severe relapse) to conventional treatment.

METHODS

A group of experts identified clinical research questions relevant to the objective of the document. These questions were reformulated in PICO format (patient, intervention, comparison and outcome). Systematic reviews of the evidence were conducted, the quality of the evidence was evaluated following the methodology of the international working group Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). After that, the multidisciplinary panel formulated the specific recommendations.

RESULTS

4 PICO questions were selected regarding the efficacy and safety of systemic pharmacological treatments in patients with BS with clinical manifestations refractory to conventional therapy related to mucocutaneous and/or articular, vascular, neurological parenchymal and gastrointestinal phenotypes. A total of 7 recommendations were made, structured by question, based on the identified evidence and expert consensus.

CONCLUSIONS

The treatment of most severe clinical manifestations of BS lacks solid scientific evidence and, besides, there are no specific recommendation documents for patients with refractory disease. With the aim of providing a response to this need, here we present the first official Recommendations of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology for the management of these patients. They are devised as a tool for assistance in clinical decision making, therapeutic homogenisation and to reduce variability in the care of these patients.

Gastrointestinal Behçet's disease: Manifestations, diagnosis, and management

Behçet's disease (BD) is a rare, inflammatory vascular disorder with recurrent oral and genital aphthous ulcers, along with ocular and cutaneous manifestations. Gastrointestinal (GI) BD may involve any portion of the GI tract. However, it is commonly described in the terminal ileum, followed by the ileocecal region. Diagnosis is challenging given lack of pathognomonic tests; therefore, it is based on clinical criteria. Management of intestinal BD includes different classes of medications including corticosteroids, 5-aminosalicylic acid, immunomodulators, and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody agents. In this review, we aim to focus on intestinal BD and provide details of clinical manifestations, diagnosis and therapeutic options of intestinal BD from gastroenterology viewpoint.

Ileocecal involvement in intestinal Behçet's disease and Crohn's disease: comparison of clinicopathological and immunophenotypic features

OBJECTIVES

Intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) predominantly affects the ileocecal region and is currently diagnosed based on endoscopic features and clinical manifestations. It is difficult to distinguish between intestinal BD and Crohn's disease (CD) due to similar patient populations, gastrointestinal involvement, extraintestinal manifestations, and long-term recurrent course. In this study we aimed to compare the clinicopathological and immunophenotypic features of intestinal BD to CD.

METHODS

The medical and pathological records of 29 cases of intestinal BD and 120 cases of CD diagnosed at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemistry for CD3, CD20, FOXP3, myeloperoxidase, and quantitative analysis of the infiltrating inflammatory cells was conducted.

RESULTS

Intestinal BD with ileocecal ulcer had a higher incidence of abdominal pain and a higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate than CD, while chronic diarrhea was more common in CD. Excessive neutrophils in the mucosal lamina propria, neutrophilic exudate on the ulcer surface, and prominent lymphocytic infiltration in ulcer tissues were statistically more frequent in intestinal BD than in CD. The numbers of FOXP3+ T cells, CD3+ T cells, and CD20+ B cells in biopsy tissue from intestinal BD were significantly higher than CD, but the ratio of FOXP3+ T cells to CD3+ T cells was not statistically different.

CONCLUSION

Besides the typical clinical and endoscopic findings, diagnostic biopsies from the ileocecal region in intestinal BD show some histological and immunophenotypic features that are different from CD, which may be useful in distinguishing these two entities.

Enhancing the Differentiation between Intestinal Behçet's Disease and Crohn's Disease through Quantitative Computed Tomography Analysis

Behçet's disease (BD) behaves similarly to Crohn's disease (CD) when the bowel is involved. Computed tomography enterography (CTE) can accurately show intestinal involvement and obtain body composition data. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether CTE could improve the ability to distinguish between intestinal BD and CD. This study evaluated clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, and CTE features on first admission. Body composition analysis was based on the CTE arterial phase. The middle layers of the L1-L5 vertebral body were selected. The indicators assessed included: the area ratio of visceral adipose tissue (VAT)/subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) (VSR) in each layer, the total volume ratio of VAT/SAT, the quartile of VAT attenuation in each layer and the coefficient of variation (CV) of the VAT area for each patient was also calculated. Two models were developed based on the above indicators: one was a traditional model (age, gender, ulcer distribution) and the other was a comprehensive model (age, gender, ulcer distribution, proximal ileum involvement, asymmetrical thickening of bowel wall, intestinal stenosis, VSRL4, and CV). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the traditional (sensitivity: 80.0%, specificity: 81.0%) and comprehensive (sensitivity: 95.0%, specificity: 87.2%) models were 0.862 and 0.941, respectively (p = 0.005).

Efficacy and Safety of Infliximab in Intestinal Behçet's Disease: A Multicenter, Phase 3 Study (BEGIN)

Background/Aims

To date, there is no prospective study that specifically investigated the efficacy of infliximab in intestinal Behçet's disease (BD). This study evaluated the efficacy of infliximab in patients with moderate-to-severe active intestinal BD that are refractory to conventional therapies.

Methods

This phase 3, interventional, open-label, single-arm study evaluated clinical outcomes of infliximab treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe intestinal BD. The coprimary endpoints were clinical response, decrease in disease activity index for intestinal BD (DAIBD) score ≥20 from weeks 0 to 8 for the induction therapy and week 32 for the maintenance therapy.

Results

A total of 33 patients entered the induction therapy and were treated with infliximab 5 mg/kg intravenously at weeks 0, 2, and 6. The mean DAIBD score changed from 90.8±40.1 at week 0 to 40.3±36.4 at week 8, with a significant mean change of 50.5±36.4 (95% confidence interval, 37.5 to 63.4; p<0.001). Thirty-one (93.9%) continued to receive 5 mg/kg infliximab every 8 weeks during the maintenance therapy. The mean change in the DAIBD score after the maintenance therapy was statistically significant (61.5±38.5; 95% confidence interval, 46.0 to 77.1; p<0.001, from weeks 0 to 32). The proportion of patients who maintained a clinical response was 92.3% at week 32. No severe adverse reactions occurred during the induction and maintenance therapies.

Conclusions

This study provided evidence that infliximab 5 mg/kg induction and maintenance therapies are efficacious and well-tolerated in patients with moderate-to-severe active intestinal BD. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02505568).

Long-term clinical outcomes of intestinal Behçet's disease: A 30-year cohort study at a tertiary hospital in South Korea

BACKGROUND AND AIM

We aimed to identify the long-term clinical outcomes of and prognostic factors for intestinal Behçet's disease (BD).

METHODS

A cohort of 780 patients with intestinal BD between 1997 and 2021 was investigated to determine long-term clinical outcomes and prognostic factors at an inflammatory bowel disease clinic at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

RESULTS

During the median follow-up period of 12.7 ± 7.2 years, 5-aminosalicylic acids, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) agents were required in 94.9%, 67.2%, 43.8%, and 14.6% of the patients, respectively. The cumulative rates of anti-TNF-α use were 3.7%, 7.5%, 8.5%, 12.1%, 17.6%, and 24.0%, and those for abdominal surgery were 5.7%, 10.9%, 12.6%, 16.5%, 21.6%, and 28.3%, at 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively, after initial diagnosis of intestinal BD. The cumulative rates of hospitalization were 11.8%, 21.9%, 27.9%, 38.8%, 54.4%, and 74.8%, and those of emergency room visits were 10.0%, 19.8%, 22.7%, 31.6%, 50.0%, and 65.0% at 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, and 30 years. Older age at primary diagnosis, previous appendectomy history, higher disease activity index for intestinal Behçet's disease score, systemic BD, multiple intestinal ulcers, deep intestinal ulcers, higher C-reactive protein, lower hemoglobin, and lower albumin levels were associated with poor prognosis. Married status, higher body mass index, oral ulceration, and arthritis were negatively associated with poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Data on the long-term clinical outcomes of intestinal BD and their prognostic factors could guide physicians in patient monitoring and in optimizing individualized treatment.

The treatment principles and targets for intestinal Behcet's disease

Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic and recurrent systemic vasculitis involving large, medium and small blood vessels as well as arteries and veins. BD with predominant gastrointestinal manifestations is diagnosed as intestinal BD, which is associated with severe complications such as massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage, perforation, and obstruction. Recently, treat-to-target (T2T) strategies have been successfully used in many chronic diseases and been suggested in the management of BD, while there are no related reviews about the global treatment strategy including treatment principles and targets for intestinal BD in detail. Herein, we review the treatment principles from the aspects of departments of Rheumatology and Gastroenterology. In addition, treatment targets of intestinal BD are reviewed from three aspects such as evaluable markers, effective markers and potency-ratio markers. Some definitions and conceptions from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) bring us reference and enlightenments.

Tofacitinib as an alternative therapy for refractory intestinal Behçet's syndrome

Background:

Intestinal Behçet’s syndrome is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Behçet’s syndrome.

Objectives:

Current treatment challenges remain in refractory intestinal Behçet’s syndrome, when patients failed first and second-line therapies.

Design:

We reported the efficacy and safety profiles of tofacitinib in patients with moderate-severe intestinal Behçet’s syndrome in a retrospective single-center study.

Methods:

Treatment with glucocorticoids, immunosuppressors, or even anti-TNFα monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) had previously failed. Primary outcomes were clinical remission or low disease activity and endoscopic healing.

Results:

We included 13 patients; 11 were administered tofacitinib 5 mg twice daily, and 2 took tofacitinib 5 mg once daily. Nine patients achieved clinical remission after a mean treatment duration of 10.1 ± 7.0 months, and the other four had low disease activity. Follow-up endoscopy was available in 11 patients: 5 had achieved mucosal healing; the other 4 achieved marked mucosal improvement. Prednisone dosage was significantly reduced, from 30 (interquartile range: 20–30) mg/d to 2.5 (interquartile range: 0–12.5) mg/d (p < 0.001). No serious adverse event was observed.

Conclusion:

Tofacitinib could be an efficacious and generally well-tolerated option in patients with intestinal Behçet’s syndrome refractory to conventional agents, even anti-TNFα mAbs.

Computed tomography enterography increases the ability of endoscopy to differentiate Crohn's disease from intestinal Behçet's disease

Background

Distinguishing Crohn's disease (CD) and intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) is difficult in clinical practice.

Aim

To evaluate the ability of CT enterography (CTE) to enhance the diagnostic value of endoscopy in differentiating CD from intestinal BD and to establish differential diagnosis models.

Methods

A total of 113 patients with CD and 70 patients with intestinal BD from seven tertiary inflammatory bowel disease centers were enrolled. The univariate and multivariate analyses were used by SAS software version 9.2. Three differential scoring models based on the multivariate analysis of endoscopic features alone (model 1), endoscopic features combined with clinical symptoms (model 2), and endoscopic features combined with clinical symptoms and CTE (model 3) were established.

Results

The results showed that model 2 increased the efficacy of model 1 in differential diagnosis and model 3 had the highest accuracy of 84.15% at a cutoff value of two points. The scoring of model 3 was as follows: genital ulcer (−3 points), skin lesions (−3 points), oval ulcer (-2 points), longitudinal ulcer (1 point), number of ulcers > 5 (3 points), inflammatory polyps (2 points), mucosal severe enhancement (2 points), and fibrofatty proliferation (1 point).

Conclusion

Clinical symptoms and CTE increased the ability of endoscopy to differentiate CD from intestinal BD.

Shanghai fever, a fatal enteric illness, in an adult patient with neutropenia caused by treatment-related myelodysplastic syndrome: a case report

Background

Shanghai fever is a rare community-acquired enteric illness with sepsis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Cases of Shanghai fever in pediatric patients have been reported; however, to the best of our knowledge, there are no reports of adult cases.

Case presentation

A 65-year-old man visited the emergency department with sudden onset of abdominal pain. He was diagnosed as treatment-related myelodysplastic syndrome after treatment of follicular lymphoma. Moderate tenderness in the middle right abdominal quadrants was noted. Computed tomography showed abdominal free air with a small amount of effusion to the surrounding edematous small intestine, and we performed emergency exploration. During operation, we found multiple bowel perforations with patchy necrotic lesions. The patient was admitted to an intensive care unit postoperatively. Blood culture showed Pseudomonas aeruginosa. His condition improved; however, on the 8th postoperative day, the abdominal drain tube showed turbid drainage. We performed re-operation and found anastomotic leakage with two new bowel perforations. After the re-operation, the patient showed signs of septic shock and his general condition got worse, and the patient died due to multiple organ failure on the 12th postoperative day.

Conclusion

Shanghai fever may occur in an adult patient with neutropenia.

The efficacy and safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor agents in the treatment of intestinal Behcet's disease, a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Behcet's disease is a systemic vasculitis that can involve gastrointestinal tract. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy and safety of anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents in treating patients with intestinal Behcet's disease.

METHODS

We conducted searches on PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane. Data from eligible studies were used to calculate the pooled estimate of proportions of clinical remission, mucosal healing at Months 3, 6, 12, and 24 as well as the pooled incidence of adverse drug reactions. And subgroup analysis based on the specific type of anti-TNF agents was performed.

RESULTS

Of the 828 studies initially identified, 13 were included finally, all of which were single-arm cohort studies. The pooled proportions of clinical remission at Months 3, 6, 12, and 24 were 0.61 (95%CI 0.48-0.78), 0.51 (95%CI 0.40-0.66), 0.57 (95%CI 0.48-0.67), and 0.38 (95%CI 0.16-0.88), respectively. The pooled proportions of mucosal healing at Months 3, 6, 12, and 24 were 0.66 (95%CI 0.50-0.86), 0.82 (95%CI 0.48-0.98), 0.65 (95%CI 0.51-0.81), and 0.69 (95%CI 0.39-1.00), respectively. The pooled estimate of proportion of overall adverse drug reactions for infliximab was 0.22 (95%CI 0.07-0.69).

CONCLUSIONS

Anti-TNF agents, including infliximab and adalimumab, were an efficient therapy for intestinal Behcet's disease. The safety of anti-TNF agents used in the treatment of intestinal Behcet's disease was acceptable.

ECCO Topical Review on Clinicopathological Spectrum and Differential Diagnosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease

INTRODUCTION

Many diseases can imitate inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] clinically and pathologically. This review outlines the differential diagnosis of IBD and discusses morphological pointers and ancillary techniques that assist with the distinction between IBD and its mimics.

METHODS

European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation [ECCO] Topical Reviews are the result of an expert consensus. For this review, ECCO announced an open call to its members and formed three working groups [WGs] to study clinical aspects, pathological considerations, and the value of ancillary techniques. All WGs performed a systematic literature search.

RESULTS

Each WG produced a draft text and drew up provisional Current Practice Position [CPP] statements that highlighted the most important conclusions. Discussions and a preliminary voting round took place, with subsequent revision of CPP statements and text and a further meeting to agree on final statements.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians and pathologists encounter a wide variety of mimics of IBD, including infection, drug-induced disease, vascular disorders, diverticular disease, diversion proctocolitis, radiation damage, and immune disorders. Reliable distinction requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Behcet's Disease: An In-Depth Review about Pathogenesis, Gastrointestinal Manifestations, and Management

Background

Behcet's disease (BD) is a complex inflammatory vascular disorder that follows a relapsing-remitting course with diverse clinical manifestations. The prevalence of the disease varies throughout the globe and targets different age-groups. There are many variations of BD; however, intestinal BD is not only more common but has many signs and symptoms.

Summary

BD is a relapsing-remitting inflammatory vascular disorder with multiple system involvement, affecting vessels of all types and sizes that targets young adults. The etiology of BD is unknown but many factors including genetic mechanisms, vascular changes, hypercoagulability, and dysregulation of immune function are believed to be responsible. BD usually presents with signs and symptoms of ulcerative disease of the small intestine; endoscopy being consistent with the clinical manifestations. The mainstay of treatment depends upon the severity of the disease. Corticosteroids are recommended for severe forms of the disease and aminosalicylic acids are used in maintaining remission in mild to moderate forms of the disease.

Key Messages

In this review, we have tried to summarize in the present review the clinical manifestations, differential diagnoses, and management of intestinal BD. Hopefully, this review will enable health policymakers to ponder over establishing clear endpoints for treatment, surveillance investigations, and creating robust algorithms.

Femoral Vein Wall Thickness Measurement May Be a Distinctive Diagnostic Tool to Differentiate Behçet's Disease with Intestinal Involvement and Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUNDS

Behçet's disease (BD) and Crohn's disease (CD) cannot be easily differentiated in young adults presenting with nonspecific gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations due to similar extraintestinal manifestations. We recently showed that increased common femoral vein (CFV) thickness is a distinctive feature of BD, rarely present in other inflammatory or vascular diseases with a specificity higher than 80% for the cutoff value of ≥ 0.5 mm. We suggest that CFV thickness measurement with ultrasonography (US) can be a diagnostic tool for BD.

AIMS

To assess the diagnostic performance of CFV thickness measurement in the differential diagnosis of BD and CD.

METHODS

Patients with BD (n = 69), CD (n = 38), and healthy controls (HC) (n = 38) were included in the study. Bilateral CFV thickness was measured with Doppler US.

RESULTS

Both right and left CFV thicknesses were significantly higher in BD compared to HC and CD (for right: 0.76 mm vs 0.33 mm, for left: 0.78 mm vs 0.35 mm, p < 0.001 for both). CFV thicknesses in CD were similar to HC (p > 0.05 for both). CFV thickness was also similar between BD patients with and without GI involvement (p = 0.367). The diagnostic cutoff values of ≥ 0.5 mm for CFV thickness performed well against to both CD and HCs for discrimination of BD. The sensitivity and specificity rates were > 85% for both HC and CD. Positive and negative predictive values in our tertiary clinical setting were > 90%.

CONCLUSION

We found significantly lower CFV thickness in CD compared to BD. Our results suggest that CFV wall thickness measurement is a distinctive diagnostic tool for the differentiation of BD and CD and can be helpful in daily practice for the differentiation of two diseases.

Proteomic analysis-based discovery of a novel biomarker that differentiates intestinal Behçet's disease from Crohn's disease

Intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) and Crohn's disease (CD) present similar manifestations, but there are no specific diagnostic tests to differentiate them. We used a proteomic approach to discover novel diagnostic biomarkers specific to intestinal BD. Colon mucosa tissue samples were obtained from patients with intestinal BD or CD using colonoscopy-guided biopsy of the affected bowel. Peptides from seven intestinal BD and seven CD patients were extracted and labeled using tandem mass tag (TMT) reagents. The labeled peptides were identified and quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The proteins were further validated using immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis with tissue samples and an ELISA test with serum samples from 20 intestinal BD and 20 CD patients. Using TMT/LC-MS/MS-based proteomic quantification, we identified 39 proteins differentially expressed between intestinal BD and CD. Beta-2 glycoprotein 1 (APOH) and maltase-glucoamylase (MGAM) showed higher intensity in the IHC staining of intestinal BD tissues than in CD tissues. The serum MGAM level was higher in intestinal BD patients. Proteomic analysis revealed that some proteins were differentially expressed in patients with intestinal BD compared with those with CD. Differential MGAM expression in intestinal BD suggests its role as a potential novel diagnostic biomarker.

Evidence-based diagnosis and clinical practice guidelines for intestinal Behçet's disease 2020 edited by Intractable Diseases, the Health and Labour Sciences Research Grants

Behçet's disease (BD) is an intractable systemic inflammatory disease characterized by four main symptoms: oral and genital ulcers and ocular and cutaneous involvement. The Japanese diagnostic criteria of BD classify intestinal BD as a specific disease type. Volcano-shaped ulcers in the ileocecum are a typical finding of intestinal BD, and punched-out ulcers can be observed in the intestine or esophagus. Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors were first approved for the treatment of intestinal BD in Japan and have been used as standard therapy. In 2007 and 2014, the Japan consensus statement for the diagnosis and management of intestinal BD was established. Recently, evidence-based JSBD (Japanese Society for BD) Clinical Practice Guidelines for BD (Japanese edition) were published, and the section on intestinal BD was planned to be published in English. Twenty-eight important clinical questions (CQs) for diagnosis (CQs 1-6), prognosis (CQ 7), monitoring and treatment goals (CQs 8-11), medical management and general statement (CQs 12-13), medical treatment (CQs 14-22), and surgical treatment (CQs 23-25) of BD and some specific situations (CQs 26-28) were selected as unified consensus by the members of committee. The statements and comments were made following a search of published scientific evidence. Subsequently, the levels of recommendation were evaluated based on clinical practice guidelines in the Medical Information Network Distribution Service. The degree of agreement was calculated using anonymous voting. We also determined algorithms for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for intestinal BD. The present guidelines will facilitate decision making in clinical practice.

Poor prognostic factors in patients with newly diagnosed intestinal Adamantiades-Behçet's disease in the Shanghai Adamantiades-Behçet's disease database: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Adamantiades-Behçet's Disease (ABD) is an immunological recurrent systemic vasculitis with a chronic course. We investigated the predictors of long-term flare-ups, poor outcomes and event-free survival in Chinese non-surgical patients with intestinal ABD.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of 109 intestinal ABD patients seen in our institution between October 2012 and January 2019 who met the international criteria for ABD and had intestinal ulcers confirmed on colonoscopy. Predictors of relapses and poor outcomes, event-free survival were calculated using logistic regression models and Cox proportional hazard regression models, respectively.

RESULTS

Sixty-six intestinal ABD patients (60.55%) had ileocecal ulcers; 19 patients (17.43%) presented with colorectum ulcers; 24 patients (22.02%) showed both ileocecal and colorectum ulcers. 7 patients (6.42%) experienced at least 1 flare-up of intestinal ulcers. 38 patients (34.86%) complained of non-healing intestinal ulcers. In multivariate analysis, location of intestinal ulcers (ileocecal and colorectum) (odd ratio (OR) 7.498 [95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.844-30.480]), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) > 24 mm/h (OR 5.966 [95% CI 1.734-20.528]), treatment with infliximab (IFX) (OR 0.130 [95% CI 0.024-0.715]), and poor compliance (OR 11.730 [95% CI 2.341-58.781]) were independently correlated with a poor outcome. After a median follow-up of 28 months, 45 intestinal ABD patients (41.28%) underwent adverse events. Factors independently associated with shorter event-free survival were early onset of ABD (< 7 years) (hazard ratio (HR) 2.431 [95% CI 1.240-4.764]) and poor compliance (HR 3.058 [95% CI 1.612-5.800]).

CONCLUSION

Distribution of intestinal ulcers (ileocecal and colorectum), ESR > 24 mm/h, treatment without IFX, and poor compliance were independent risk factors for poor outcomes in non-surgical intestinal ABD patients.

Proteomics-based functional studies reveal that galectin-3 plays a protective role in the pathogenesis of intestinal Behçet's disease

The pathogenesis of intestinal Behçet’s disease (BD) remains poorly understood. Therefore, we aimed to discover and validate biomarkers using proteomics analysis and subsequent functional studies. After two-dimensional electrophoresis, candidate proteins were identified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF MS). We validated these results by evaluating the protein levels and their functions in vitro using HT-29 colorectal cancer cells, colon tissues from patients and mice, and murine bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs). Of the 30 proteins differentially expressed in intestinal BD tissues, we identified seven using MALDI-TOF/TOF MS. Focusing on galectin-3, we found that TGF-B and IL-10 expression was significantly lower in shLGALS3-transfected cells. Expression of GRP78 and XBP1s and apoptosis rates were all higher in shLGALS3-transfected cells upon the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress. In response to lipopolysaccharide stimulation, microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B accumulated and lysosomes decreased in these cells. Finally, Salmonella typhimurium infection induced caspase-1 activation and increased IL-1β production, which facilitated activation of the NLRC4 inflammasome, in Lgals3^−/− murine BMDMs compared to wild type BMDMs. Our data suggest that galectin-3 may play a protective role in the pathogenesis of intestinal BD via modulation of ER stress, autophagy, and inflammasome activation.

Differentiation between intestinal Behçet’s disease and Crohn’sdisease based on endoscopy

Background/aim

Differentiating intestinal Behçet’s disease (BD) from Crohn’s disease (CD) is highly challenging, as they often mimic each other in terms of clinical manifestations. Endoscopy is an important modality for distinguishing bowel lesions. The study was designed to identify clinical manifestations that are easily confused and to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopy for distinguishing intestinal BD from CD by several overlapping signs.

Materials and methods

The data from 111 patients with intestinal BD and 81 patients with CD were retrospectively analyzed. Logistic regression was applied to establish a prediction model based on endoscopic findings for the differential diagnosis. The diagnostic efficacy of endoscopy was verified using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

Among intestinal BD patients mucocutaneous lesions were the leading clinical manifestations. Gastrointestinal symptoms were common in CD but were rare in intestinal BD (P < 0.001). CD patients with moderate-to-severe activity were more common than intestinal BD patients presenting with equivalent activity (P < 0.05). Independent factors that distinguished intestinal BD from CD were solitary ulcer in the ileocecal area (P < 0.001), perianal abscess (P = 0.049), single segment (P < 0.001), round intestinal ulcer (P = 0.013), intestinal obstruction (P = 0.035), and fistula (P < 0.001). The scores ranged from –2 to 3. The area under the ROC curve was 0.874 (95% CI: 0.823–0.926) (P < 0.001). With a score of 1.5 as the diagnostic cutoff value, the sensitivity and specificity were 76.3% and 80.6%, respectively.

Conclusion

Mucosal injuries were rarer in patients with intestinal BD than in those with CD. The differentiation model combining several endoscopy features appeared to be reliable for distinguishing between intestinal BD and CD.

Reduced Imaging Radiation Exposure and Costs Associated with Anti-Tumor Necrosis Factor Therapy in Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

Radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging may increase cancer risk of Crohn's disease (CD) patients, who are already at increased risk of certain cancers.

AIM

To compare imaging radiation exposure and associated costs in CD patients during the year pre- and post-initiation of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) agents or corticosteroids.

METHODS

Adults were identified from a large US claims database between 1/1/2005 and 12/31/2009 with ≥ 1 abdominal imaging scan and 12 months of enrollment before and after initiating therapy with anti-TNF or corticosteroids. Imaging utilization, radiation exposure, and healthcare costs pre- and post-initiation were examined.

RESULTS

Anti-TNF-treated patients had significantly fewer imaging examinations the year prior to initiation than corticosteroid-treated patients. Cumulative radiation doses before initiation were significantly higher for corticosteroid patients compared to anti-TNF patients (22.3 vs. 17.7 millisieverts, P = 0.0083). After therapy initiation, anti-TNF-treated patients had significantly fewer imaging examinations (2.9 vs. 5.2, P < 0.0001) and less radiation exposure (7.4 vs. 15.4 millisieverts, P <0.0001) than corticosteroid-treated patients in the follow-up period. Reductions in imaging costs adjusted for 1000 patient-years after initiation of therapy were - $275,090 and - $121,960 (P = 0.0359) for anti-TNF versus corticosteroid patients, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis demonstrated that patients treated with anti-TNF agents have fewer imaging examinations, less radiation exposure, and lower healthcare costs associated with imaging than patients treated with corticosteroids. These benefits do not account for additional long-term benefits that may be gained from reduced radiation exposure.

Gastrointestinal Involvement in Behçet Disease

Behçet disease (BD) is a variable vessel vasculitis that can involve several organs and systems. Gastrointestinal (GI) involvement has an acute exacerbating course with ulcers, most commonly in the ileocolonic area. These ulcers can be large and deep, causing perforation and massive bleeding. This article highlights the current knowledge on the epidemiology, clinical findings, diagnosis, and management of GI involvement of BD, with emphasis on recent findings.

Incidence and clinical outcomes of intestinal Behçet's disease in Korea, 2011-2014: a nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND

Intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) is very rare, and epidemiologic data regarding BD are scarce. Moreover, there have been no population-based studies focusing on intestinal BD. We conducted a nationwide population-based study to examine the incidence and clinical course of Korean patients with intestinal BD.

METHODS

We collected data on 365 patients diagnosed with intestinal BD from 2011 to 2014 using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services claims database. We analyzed the incidence and clinical outcomes, including cumulative rates of bowel resection, hospitalization, and medication use.

RESULTS

During the study period, the average annual incidence for intestinal BD was 0.18 per 10⁵ population, and the proportion of cases with intestinal involvement was 3.9%. At 1 and 4 years after diagnosis, the cumulative rates of surgery were 5.0 and 10.9%, respectively, whereas those of hospitalization were 27.8 and 32.4%, respectively. The 1- and 4-year cumulative rates of requirements for medications were 39.8 and 49.1% for moderate- to high-dose corticosteroids, 33.6 and 42.1% for immunomodulators, and 3.5 and 6.8% for biologics, respectively. The cumulative probability of corticosteroid and immunomodulator use was higher in male than in female patients and in younger (<40 years) than in older (≥40 years) patients. However, there were no significant differences in the cumulative probabilities of surgery, hospitalization, and biologics use according to sex and age group.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of intestinal BD in Korea is quite low and has been stable in recent years.

Optimal diagnosis and disease activity monitoring of intestinal Behçet's disease

Intestinal Behçet's disease (BD), generally accepted as a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), could be diagnosed when patients with BD have objectively documented gastrointestinal symptoms and intestinal ulcerations. Similar to IBD, intestinal BD has an unpredictable disease course with relapse and remission and is often related to a poor prognosis. However, there is no single gold standard for assessment of the disease activity of intestinal BD, and its diagnosis and management depend heavily on expert opinions. The Korean IBD Study Group recently developed novel diagnostic criteria based on colonoscopy findings and clinical manifestations using a modified Delphi process to overcome drawbacks of previously used consensus for the diagnosis of intestinal BD. In addition, the recently developed disease activity index for intestinal BD, consisting of a relatively simple 8-point index, could also help in determining treatment strategies and monitoring therapeutic responses. In this review, the progress in the diagnosis and disease activity measurement of intestinal BD will be discussed.

Intestinal Behçet and Crohn's disease: two sides of the same coin

Behçet's disease (BD) and Crohn's disease (CD) are chronic immune-mediated, inflammatory disorders affecting many different systems (joints, skin, eyes, gastrointestinal and biliary tracts). Both disorders have fluctuating courses and when gastrointestinal symptoms are prevalent, differential diagnosis can be difficult. BD involves the gastrointestinal tract in 10-15% of cases with localized lesions in the ileocecal region. The clinical picture is heterogeneous with various clusters of disease expression. CD is a chronic inflammatory disorder, which can affect any part of the intestinal tract, as well as extra-intestinal tissue. Factors that contribute towards the pathogenesis of both disease include the host's genetic profile, and immune system, and environmental factors such as the gut microbiota. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a narrative review of clinical features of BD and CD, highlighting the importance of differential diagnosis and therapeutic approach, especially in the presence of gastrointestinal involvement. A comprehensive search of published literature using the Pubmed ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/ ) database was carried out to identify all articles published in English from 1999 to October 2016, using 4 key terms: "Behçet Disease", "Intestinal Behçet's Disease", "Crohn's Disease" and" Inflammatory Bowel Disease".

Fecal calprotectin as a non-invasive biomarker for intestinal involvement of Behçet's disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

The diagnostic and prognostic values of fecal calprotectin (FC) levels in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases have been proven. However, little is known about the usefulness of FC measurement in predicting intestinal involvement of Behçet's disease (BD).

METHODS

Forty-four consecutive patients with systemic BD who underwent colonoscopy for the evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms were prospectively enrolled between November 2012 and March 2014 in a single tertiary medical center. Fecal specimens from the patients were obtained the day before bowel cleansing and 3 months after colonoscopy.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients showed intestinal ulcerations on colonoscopy (12 [48.0%] typical and 13 [52.0%] atypical ulcerations). The median FC level in the intestinal BD group was significantly higher than that in the non-diagnostic group (112.53 [6.86-1604.39] vs 31.64 [5.46-347.60] µg/g, respectively, P = 0.003). Moreover, the typical ulceration group showed a significantly higher median FC level than the atypical ulceration group in patients with intestinal BD (435.995 [75.65-1604.39] vs 71.42 [6.86-476.94] µg/g, respectively, P = 0.033). Multivariate analysis revealed higher FC as an independent predictor of intestinal BD (OR = 38.776; 95% CI = 2.306-652.021; P = 0.011). The cut-off level of FC for predicting intestinal BD was 68.89 µg/g (76% sensitivity and 79% specificity). The absolute changes between fecal calprotectin levels and the disease activity index of intestinal BD from initial diagnosis of intestinal BD to 3 months after diagnosis were significantly correlated (Pearson's correlation coefficient = 0.470, P = 0.027).

CONCLUSION

The FC level might serve as a non-invasive surrogate marker of intestinal involvement of BD.

Radiation exposure in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome in the years 2001-2011

OBJECTIVES

To compare cumulative ionizing radiation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for the years 2001-2011. To study how radiation exposure change over time in patients with newly diagnosed IBD and factors associated with radiation exposure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All radiological investigations performed between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2011 were retrospectively recorded in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) (n = 103), ulcerative colitis (UC) (n = 304) and IBS (n = 149). Analyses were done with Mann-Whitney and Chi-Square test.

RESULTS

The median total cumulative radiation exposure in mSv for CD (20.0, inter quartile range (IQR) 34.8), UC (7.01, IQR 23.8), IBS (2.71, IQR 9.15) and the proportion of patients who had been exposed for more than 50 mSv during the study period (CD 19%, UC 11%, IBS 3%) were significantly higher in the patients with CD compared to patients with UC (p < .001) and IBS (p < .001), respectively. In turn, patients with UC had significantly higher doses than patients with IBS (p = .005). Risk factors for radiation exposure were female gender (CD), early onset (UC), ileocolonic location (CD), previous surgery (CD and UC), depression (IBS) and widespread pain (IBS). In newly diagnosed CD, there was a significant decline in median cumulative radiation dose in mSv (17.2 vs. 12.0; p = .048) during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CD are at greatest risk for high cumulative radiation exposure, but there is a decline in exposure during the late 2000s. Non-colectomized patients with UC and patients with IBS have a relatively low risk of cumulative radiation exposure.

Ionizing radiation exposure is still increasing in Crohn's disease: Who should be blamed?

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Crohn's disease (CD) patients undergo many radiological studies employing ionizing radiation for diagnosis and management purposes. Our aim was to assess the total radiation exposure of our patients over the years, to estimate the risk factors for exposure to high doses, and to correlate radiation exposure to immunosuppression.

METHODS

The cumulative effective dose of radiation (CEDR) was calculated multiplying the number of imaging studies by the effective dose of each examination.

RESULTS

A total of 451 patients with CD (226 female) were followed during 11.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 6.0-16.0), with 52.1% of the patients being classified with penetrating (B3) and 38.6% being steroid-dependent. About 16% were exposed to high-radiation dose levels (CEDR >50 mSv) and 4% were exposed to CEDR >100 mSv. The mean CEDR between age 26 and 35 years was 12.539 mSv and a significant dose of radiation (over 50 mSv) was achieved at a median age of 40 (IQR: 29.0-47.0). Abdominal-pelvic computed tomography scan was the examination that contributed the most for CEDR. Patients with B3 phenotype, previous surgery, azathioprine, and anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α therapy were exposed earlier on the course of the disease to CEDR >50 mSv (p < 0.001). The value of CEDR in the patients under immunosuppression mainly increased in the first year of immunosuppression.

CONCLUSION

Penetrating phenotype, abdominal surgery, steroid resistance or steroid dependence, and treatment with anti-TNF-α and azathioprine were predictive factors for high CEDR. It was also demonstrated that immunosuppression and anti-TNF-α treatment were followed by a sustained increment of radiation exposure and that a significant dose of radiation was achieved <40 years of age.

Intestinal Behçet's Disease: A True Inflammatory Bowel Disease or Merely an Intestinal Complication of Systemic Vasculitis?

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multi-systemic inflammatory disorder of an unknown etiology and shows a chronic recurrent clinical course. When the disease involves the alimentary tract, it is called intestinal BD because of its clinical importance. Intestinal BD is more frequently reported in East Asian countries than in Western or Middle Eastern countries. While any part of the gastrointestinal tract can be involved, the most common location of intestinal BD is the ileocecal area. A few, large, deep ulcerations with discrete border are characteristic endoscopic findings of intestinal BD. Currently, there is no single gold standard test or pathognomonic finding of intestinal BD. However, recently developed novel diagnostic criteria and a disease activity index have helped in assessing intestinal BD. As intestinal BD shares a lot of characteristics with inflammatory bowel disease, including genetic background, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic strategies, distinguishing between the two diseases in clinical practice is quite difficult. However, biologic agents such as anti-tumor necrosis factor α antibody shows a considerable efficacy similar to inflammatory bowel disease cases. It is important to distinguish and treat those two disease entities separately from the standpoint of precise medicine. Clinicians should require comprehensive knowledge regarding the similarities and differences between intestinal BD and inflammatory bowel disease for making an accurate clinical decision.

Discriminating potential of extraintestinal systemic manifestations and colonoscopic features in Chinese patients with intestinal Behçet's disease and Crohn's disease

Background:

The distinction between intestinal Behçet's disease (BD) and Crohn's disease (CD) is always challenging due to many overlapping clinical features. We conducted a retrospective study to reveal valuable strategies for the differential diagnosis between intestinal BD and CD in Chinese patients based on their clinical and colonoscopic features.

Methods:

Thirty-five intestinal BD patients and 106 CD patients hospitalized from January 1983 to January 2010, who had ulcerative lesions in the terminal ileum or colon under colonoscopy and no history of gastrointestinal operation except appendectomy before admission, were enrolled. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to find discriminating predictors among demographic data, clinical manifestations, and colonoscopic findings.

Results:

Based on univariate analysis, massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage, fever, and extraintestinal systemic manifestations were more common in intestinal BD patients (P = 0.022, 0.048 and 0.001, respectively), while diarrhea, intestinal obstruction, and perianal lesions were more common in CD patients (P = 0.002, 0.010, and 0.027 respectively). Based on colonoscopy, focal involvement, ileocecal valve deformity, solitary ulcers, large ulcers (ulcer size > 2 cm), and circumferential ulcers were more common in intestinal BD patients (P = 0.003, 0.003, 0.014, 0,013, and 0.003, respectively), while segmental involvement, longitudinal ulcers, a cobblestone or nodular appearance, and pseudo-polyps were more common in CD patients (P = 0.003, 0.008, 0.023, and 0.002, respectively). Based on multivariate logistic regression analysis, diarrhea, extraintestinal manifestations, ulcer distribution, size, and type, and pseudo-polyps were independent discriminating predictors between the two groups (P = 0.048, 0.008, 0.006, 0.021, 0.002, and 0.041, respectively). The discriminating algorithm composed of the above independent predictors had the highest area under the curve of 0.987 for distinguishing between the two diseases.

Conclusions:

Extraintestinal systemic manifestations and the characteristic colonoscopic features, such as ulcer distribution, size and type, helped to distinguish intestinal BD from CD.

Gastrointestinal Behçet's disease: A review

Behçet’s disease (BD) is an idiopathic, chronic, relapsing, multi-systemic vasculitis characterized by recurrent oral and genital aphthous ulcers, ocular disease and skin lesions. Prevalence of BD is highest in countries along the ancient silk road from the Mediterranean basin to East Asia. By comparison, the prevalence in North American and Northern European countries is low. Gastrointestinal manifestations of Behçet’s disease are of particular importance as they are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although ileocecal involvement is most commonly described, BD may involve any segment of the intestinal tract as well as the various organs within the gastrointestinal system. Diagnosis is based on clinical criteria - there are no pathognomonic laboratory tests. Methods for monitoring disease activity on therapy are available but imperfect. Evidence-based treatment strategies are lacking. Different classes of medications have been successfully used for the treatment of intestinal BD which include 5-aminosalicylic acid, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha monoclonal antibody therapy. Like inflammatory bowel disease, surgery is reserved for those who are resistant to medical therapy. A subset of patients have a poor disease course. Accurate methods to detect these patients and the optimal strategy for their treatment are not known at this time.

Utility of CT in the emergency department in patients with ulcerative colitis

BACKGROUND

Computed tomography (CT) is used in the emergency department (ED) for triage of patients with gastrointestinal complaints. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease undergo radiologic studies for gastrointestinal symptoms and are at risk for excessive ionizing radiation exposure; however, the utility of CT in the ED in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) is not clear. In this study, we assess the frequency and risk factors for clinically significant CT findings in patients with UC in the ED.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 163 consecutive cases of patients with UC who presented to a tertiary care ED and underwent abdominopelvic CT between June 2008 and December 2011. Using logistic regression, we identified predictors of significant CT findings and derived a model to predict CT scans without clinically significant findings.

RESULTS

Of note, 63.2% (103/163) of CT scans had no clinically significant findings. Less than 2% of scans revealed complications related to UC. Predictors of CT scans without clinically significant findings included rectal bleeding or diarrhea (P < 0.001), use of 5-aminosalicylate (P = 0.011), or immunomodulator (P = 0.032). Alternatively, predictors of clinically significant CT findings included nausea and vomiting (P < 0.001), history of colectomy (P < 0.001), history of abdominal or pelvic surgery (P < 0.001), surgery within 1 month (P < 0.001), age (P = 0.004), elevated white blood cell count (P = 0.003), and no UC medications (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients with UC who presented to the ED and underwent CT had no clinically significant findings. We devised a model to predict lack of clinically significant CT findings, which may assist in reducing cost and radiation exposure in patients with UC.

Crohn's disease in Korea: past, present, and future

The epidemiology, genetics, and clinical manifestations of Crohn's disease (CD) vary considerably among geographic areas and ethnic groups. Thus, identifying the characteristics of Korean CD is important for establishing management strategies appropriate for Korean patients. Since the mid-2000s, many studies have investigated the characteristic features of Korean CD. The incidence and prevalence rates of CD have been increasing rapidly in Korea, especially among the younger population. Unlike Western data, Korean CD shows a male predominance and a lower proportion of isolated colonic disease. Perianal lesions are more prevalent than in Western countries. Genome-wide association studies have confirmed that genetic variants in TNFSF15, IL-23R, and IRGM, but not ATG16L1, are associated with CD susceptibility in the Korean population. Studies of the associations between genetic mutations and the clinical course of CD are underway. Although it has been generally accepted that the clinical course of Korean CD is milder than that in Western countries, recent studies have shown a comparable rate of intestinal resection in Korean and Western CD patients. An ongoing nationwide, hospital-based cohort study is anticipated to provide valuable information on the natural history and prognosis of Korean CD in the near future.

Similarities and differences between Behçet's disease and Crohn's disease

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic inflammatory condition with multisystem involvement. Approximately 10%-15% of patients present with gastrointestinal involvement. Involved sites and the endoscopic view usually resemble Crohn’s disease (CD). In addition to intestinal involvement, oral mucosa, the eyes, skin, and joints are commonly affected. No pathognomonic laboratory test is available for the diagnosis of either disease. Management approaches are also similar in various aspects. Differentiating BD from CD is highly challenging. In this article, the similarities and differences between BD and CD in terms of epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, clinical and imaging findings, and histopathological and therapeutic approaches are reviewed.

Outcome measures used in clinical trials for Behçet syndrome: a systematic review

Behçet syndrome (BS) is a multisystem vasculitis that is most active during young adulthood, causing serious disability and significant impairment in quality of life. Differences in the disease course, severity, and organ involvement between patients, depending on the age at presentation and sex, makes it impossible to determine a single management strategy. The diversity and variability in the outcome measures used in clinical trials in BS makes it difficult to compare the results or inform physicians about the best management strategy for individual patients. There is a large unmet need to determine or develop validated outcome measures for use in clinical trials in BS that are acceptable to researchers and regulatory agencies. We conducted a systematic review to describe the outcomes and outcome measures that have been used in clinical trials in BS. This review revealed the diversity and variability in the outcomes and outcome measures and the lack of standard definitions for most outcomes and rarity of validated outcome tools for disease assessment in BS. This systematic literature review will identify domains and candidate instruments for use in a Delphi exercise, the next step in the development of a core set of outcome measures that are properly validated and widely accepted by the collaboration of researchers from many different regions of the world and from different specialties, including rheumatology, ophthalmology, dermatology, gastroenterology, and neurology.

Radiation exposure from abdominal imaging studies in patients with intestinal Behçet disease

Background/Aims

Recently, several studies have revealed that diagnostic imaging can result in exposure to harmful levels of ionizing radiation in inflammatory bowel disease patients. However, the extent of radiation exposure in intestinal Behcet disease (BD) patients has not been documented. The aim of this study was to estimate the radiation exposure from abdominal imaging studies in intestinal BD patients.

Methods

Patients with a diagnosis of intestinal BD established between January 1990 and March 2012 were investigated at a single tertiary academic medical center. The cumulative effective dose (CED) was calculated retrospectively from standard tables and by counting the number of abdominal imaging studies performed. High exposure was defined as CED >50 mSv.

Results

In total, 270 patients were included in the study. The mean CED was 41.3 mSv, and 28.1% of patients were exposed to high levels of radiation. Computed tomography (CT) accounted for 81.7% of the total effective dose. In multivariate analyses, predictors of high radiation exposure were azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine use, surgery, and hospitalization.

Conclusions

Approximately a quarter of intestinal BD patients were exposed to harmful levels of diagnostic radiation, mainly from CT examination. Clinicians should reduce the number of unnecessary CT examinations and consider low-dose CT profiles or alternative modalities such as magnetic resonance enterography.

Behcet's disease with multiple spontaneous intestinal perforations: A case report

Behcet's disease may lead to perforation of the intestine, which is often misdiagnosed. Surgical operation is the main treatment, but intestinal fistula is an important postoperative complication. Therefore, surgical treatment of Behcet's disease requires reasonable operation planning, unobstructed drainage and effective postoperative treatment.