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Sota J, Capuano A, Emmi G, Iannone F, Cantarini L, Hatemi G, Lopalco G. Therapeutic approach to central nervous system involvement of Behçet's disease. Semin Arthritis Rheum 2023; 61:152206. [PMID: 37172497 DOI: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2023.152206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurologic involvement in Behçet's disease (BD) represents a major cause of disease morbidity and mortality. Early recognition and timely treatment represent crucial aspects that aim at preventing long-term disability. The absence of robust and evidence-based studies further complicates the management of neuro-BD (NBD). In this review we aim at collecting the best available evidence and suggest a treatment algorithm for an optimal and personalized management of NBD. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION PubMed (NLM) database for papers written in English language was used to retrieve relevant articles for this review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Neurologic involvement in BD is one of the most serious and challenging aspects to manage, particularly in its chronic progressive form. It is important to distinguish between acute and chronic progressive NBD, as treatment may vary considerably. Currently, no standardized treatment guidelines support physicians in the decision-making process that therefore relies on low-level evidence. High dose corticosteroids remain the cornerstone for managing acute phase both in the parenchymal and non-parenchymal involvement. Prevention of relapses and control of disease progression represent crucial goals for acute and chronic progressive NBD respectively. In this regard, mycophenolate mofetil and azathioprine are valuable options in the acute NBD. On the other hand, low weekly dose methotrexate has been suggested for chronic progressive NBD. Refractory cases or intolerant patients to conventional therapies may benefit from biologic agents, particularly infliximab. First-line infliximab may be preferred in severe patients with high risk of damage. Other agents including tocilizumab, interleukin-1 inhibitors, B-cell depletion therapy and to a lesser extent, interferon-α and intravenous immunoglobulins are potential options in severe and multidrug resistant cases. Due to multiple organ involvement in BD, long-term treatment should be determined by a multidisciplinary approach. Therefore, multicenter collaborations in the context of international registry-based projects could promote data sharing, standardization of more clinical outcomes and knowledge diffusion that hopefully may optimize therapy and personalize the management of patients with such a complex syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jurgen Sota
- Department of Medical Sciences, Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Adriana Capuano
- Department of Precision and Rigenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), Polyclinic Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Giacomo Emmi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy; Centre for Inflammatory Diseases, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University Department of Medicine, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Florenzo Iannone
- Department of Precision and Rigenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), Polyclinic Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy
| | - Luca Cantarini
- Department of Medical Sciences, Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gulen Hatemi
- Behçet's Disease Research Center, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Turkey; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Giuseppe Lopalco
- Department of Precision and Rigenerative Medicine and Ionian Area (DiMePRe-J), Polyclinic Hospital, University of Bari, Piazza G. Cesare 11, Bari 70124, Italy.
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He K, Yan X, Wu D. Intestinal Behcet's Disease: A Review of the Immune Mechanism and Present and Potential Biological Agents. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:8176. [PMID: 37175882 PMCID: PMC10179024 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic and recurrent systemic vasculitis involving almost all organs and tissues. Intestinal BD is defined as BD with predominant gastrointestinal involvement, presenting severe complications such as massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage, perforation, and obstruction in some cases. To some extent, intestinal BD is classified as a member of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as it has a lot in common with classical IBD including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Certainly, the underlying pathogenesis is not the same and dysregulation of immune function is believed to be one of the main pathogeneses in intestinal BD, although the etiology has not been clear up to now. Biological agents are an emerging category of pharmaceuticals for various diseases, including inflammatory diseases and cancers, in recent decades. Based on the deep understanding of the immune mechanism of intestinal BD, biological agents targeting potential pathogenic cells, cytokines and pathways are optimized options. Recently, the adoption of biological agents such as anti-tumor necrosis factor agents has allowed for the effective treatment of patients with refractory intestinal BD who show poor response to conventional medications and are faced with the risk of surgical treatment. In this review, we have tried to summarize the immune mechanism and present potential biological agents of intestinal BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun He
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Xiaxiao Yan
- Eight-year Medical Doctor Program, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Dong Wu
- Department of Gastroenterology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China
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3
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Sun L, Hou Y, Zhang L, Liu J, Li L, Wang Z, Yu X, Zhang M, Liu X, Zhao Y, Zheng W. Effectiveness and safety of low-dose interferon alpha-2a treatment in Behçet’s Syndrome with refractory vascular or neurological involvement: a case series. Ther Adv Chronic Dis 2022; 13:20406223221111285. [PMID: 35924012 PMCID: PMC9340357 DOI: 10.1177/20406223221111285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of low-dose interferon alpha-2a (IFNα2a) in Behçet’s syndrome (BS) patients with refractory vascular/cardiac or neurological involvement. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we consecutively included 25 BS patients with refractory vascular/cardiac ( n = 16) or neurological involvement ( n = 9) who received IFNα2a treatment in our center between June 2018 and September 2021. The low-dose IFNα2a (3 million IU, every other day) was used as an add-on treatment with the continuation of glucocorticoids (GCs) and immunosuppressants. Results: In total, 25 patients (20 males, 5 females) with a mean age of 31.92 ± 9.25 years were included. IFNα2a was administered for BS patients with refractory vascular/cardiac involvement ( n = 16) and neurological involvement ( n = 9). Before the initiation of IFNα2a, patients had insufficient response or intolerance to conventional therapies. After a median follow-up of 23 [interquartile range (IQR), 11–30] months, all patients achieved clinical improvement. The Behçet’s disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) score improved significantly (5 versus 0, median, p < 0.0001). BS Overall Damage Index (BODI) and vasculitis damage index (VDI) remain stable ( p > 0.05). Decrease in erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR; 24 (IQR, 12–43.5) versus 5 (IQR, 2.75–10.5) mm/h, p = 0.0001] and C-reactive protein [CRP; 6.64 (IQR, 3.67–19.82) versus 1.24 (IQR, 0.24–3.12) mg/liter, p < 0.005] was achieved effectively. The median GCs dosage tapered from 26.25 (IQR, 11.88–41.25) to 10.00 (IQR, 7.50–10.63) mg/d, p < 0.0001. Immunosuppressants were also reduced in number ( p < 0.005). No serious adverse events were observed during follow-up. Conclusion: Our study suggests that low-dose IFNα2a, combined with GCs and immunosuppressants, is well-tolerated and effective for BS patients with refractory vascular/cardiac or neurological involvement and has a steroid- and immunosuppressant-sparing effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luxi Sun
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Beijing, China
| | - Yunxia Hou
- Department of Rheumatology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Lifan Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, International Epidemiology Network, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - JinJing Liu
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Beijing, China
| | - Lu Li
- School of Nursing, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhimian Wang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Beijing, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Beijing, China
| | - Menghao Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Centre for Tuberculosis Research, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, International Epidemiology Network, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Beijing, China
| | - Wenjie Zheng
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, No. 1 Shuaifuyuan, Dongcheng-qu, Beijing 100730, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Beijing, China
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Chung SW. Vasculitis: From Target Molecules to Novel Therapeutic Approaches. Biomedicines 2021; 9:757. [PMID: 34209028 PMCID: PMC8301353 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Systemic vasculitis is a group of diverse diseases characterized by immune-mediated inflammation of blood vessels. Current treatments for vasculitis, such as glucocorticoids and alkylating agents, are associated with significant side effects. In addition, the management of both small and large vessel vasculitis is challenging due to a lack of robust markers of disease activity. Recent research has advanced our understanding of the pathogenesis of both small and large vessel vasculitis, and this has led to the development of novel biologic therapies capable of targeting key cytokine and cellular effectors of the inflammatory cascade. It is anticipated that these novel treatments will lead to more effective and less toxic treatment regimens for patients with systemic vasculitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang-Wan Chung
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Korea
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Alpsoy E, Leccese P, Emmi G, Ohno S. Treatment of Behçet's Disease: An Algorithmic Multidisciplinary Approach. Front Med (Lausanne) 2021; 8:624795. [PMID: 33996847 PMCID: PMC8115406 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.624795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, relapsing inflammatory, multisystem disease of unknown etiology. The disease has a wide clinical spectrum of mucocutaneous lesions and ocular, vascular, articular, neurologic, gastrointestinal and cardiac involvement. Although the number of effective drugs used in the disease's treatment has increased in recent years, BD is still associated with severe morbidity because of mainly mucocutaneous, articular and ocular symptoms and an increased mortality because of large vessel, neurological, gastrointestinal and cardiac involvement. Many factors are associated with a more serious course, such as male gender and a younger age of onset. While the severity of the disease is more pronounced in the first years of the disease, it decreases in most patients after the age of forties. The primary goal of treatment should be the prevention of irreversible organ damage. Therefore, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment and close follow-up are mandatory to reduce the morbidity and mortality of the disease. Treatment varies depending on the organ involved and the severity of the involvement. For all these reasons, the treatment should be personalized and arranged with a multidisciplinary approach according to the organs involved. Treatment is mainly based on suppression of the inflammatory attacks of the disease using local and systemic immunomodulatory and immunosuppressive drugs. In this review, based on the mainly controlled studies and personal experience in clinical practice and basic research in this field, we propose a stepwise, symptom-based, algorithmic approach for the management of BD with a holistic perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erkan Alpsoy
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, School of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Pietro Leccese
- Rheumatology Department of Lucania, Rheumatology Institute of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza and Matera, Italy
| | - Giacomo Emmi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy
| | - Shigeaki Ohno
- Ophthalmology Center, Aishin Memorial Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.,Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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6
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Bozca BC, Alpsoy E. Experimental Therapeutic Solutions for Behcet's Disease. J Exp Pharmacol 2021; 13:127-145. [PMID: 33603502 PMCID: PMC7886245 DOI: 10.2147/jep.s265645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic systemic vasculitis with inflammation attacks that involve multiple organs. In addition to numerous mucocutaneous symptoms, notably recurrent oral and genital ulcers, ocular, articular, vascular, gastrointestinal, cardiac, and neurological system involvement can be observed. Mucocutaneous lesions are the primary symptom of the disease in most patients, and they usually occur before major organ involvement and other symptoms of the disease. Recognizing the disease's mucocutaneous lesions is very important to diagnose at an early stage, control with appropriate treatment and close follow-up, and prevent major organ involvement. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in recent years have confirmed that HLA-B*51 is the most significant genetic predisposing factor. The majority of gene polymorphisms have been detected in molecules that respond to microorganisms and genes encoding cytokines and adhesion molecules. The infectious agent S. sanguinis -commonly found in the oral mucosa of patients with BD- or the differences in the salivary or intestinal microbiome composition can trigger innate immune-mediated inflammation sustained by acquired or adaptive immune responses. In antigen-presenting cells (APCs), epistatic interactions between HLA-B*51 and endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) variants lead to the disruption of T-cell homeostasis, especially the activation of Type1 T-helper and Th17 pathway and suppression of regulatory T-cells. Recent developments to clarify the disease's etiopathogenesis provided us with a better understanding of the mechanism of action of the relatively old drugs while opening a way for many new treatment methods. Apremilast has become an important option in the treatment of mucocutaneous symptoms with its high efficacy and safety. The disease increases the mortality rate, especially in young male patients. New treatments, especially anti-TNF-α agents, have provided significant progress and decreased the mortality rates with their rapid effect and high efficacy in patients with severe organ involvement and resistance to traditional immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapies. The use of IL-1, IL-6, IL-17, IL-12/IL-23 antagonists in different organ involvement has gradually increased, and the quality of life has significantly improved in many patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burçin Cansu Bozca
- Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Erkan Alpsoy
- Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Antalya, Turkey
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7
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Elmas ÖF, Demirbaş A, Bağcıer F, Türsen Ü, Atasoy M, Dursun R, Lotti T. Treatment considerations for Behçet disease in the era of COVID-19: A narrative review. Dermatol Ther 2020; 34:e14507. [PMID: 33150651 DOI: 10.1111/dth.14507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is a multisystem disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. It has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020 and the outbreak still keeps its impacts worldwide. Behçet disease (BD) is a multi-systemic vasculitis involving the skin, mucosa, eyes, joints, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal system. The precise etiopathogenesis of the disorder is unknown but autoimmunity is believed to play a key role. A considerable part of patients with BD are susceptible to immunosuppression and are more predisposed to infections than healthy individuals. Hence, the protection and control measures for patients with BD against the COVID-19 are of the utmost significance. Given the requirement to balance proper treatment of BD with the smallest risk of COVID-19 associated mortality and morbidity, we aimed to review the management of BD in the era of the pandemic with a special focus on treatment considerations. According to current expert recommendations, there is no reason to discontinue topical treatments, colchicine, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Systemic steroids can be used at the lowest possible dose if needed. Ongoing treatments can be continued unchanged in patients with no suspected or confirmed COVID-19. In cases with COVID-19 symptoms, immunosuppressive and biological agents can be temporarily stopped but the decision should be made on a case by case basis. Considering their potential beneficial effects on the course of COVID-19, colchicine, pentoxifylline, and dapsone can be considered as safe treatment options in BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ömer Faruk Elmas
- Department of Dermatology, Kırşehir Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Demirbaş
- Department of Dermatology, Konya Numune State Hospital, Konya, Turkey
| | - Fatih Bağcıer
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ümit Türsen
- Department of Dermatology, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Atasoy
- Department of Dermatology, Health Science University, Kayseri City Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Recep Dursun
- Department of Dermatology, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Torello Lotti
- Department of Dermatology, Guglielmo Marconi University, Rome, Italy
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8
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An Overview of Conventional and Recent Treatment Options for Behcet’s Disease. CURRENT TREATMENT OPTIONS IN RHEUMATOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s40674-020-00143-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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9
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Borhani-Haghighi A, Kardeh B, Banerjee S, Yadollahikhales G, Safari A, Sahraian MA, Shapiro L. Neuro-Behcet's disease: An update on diagnosis, differential diagnoses, and treatment. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2019; 39:101906. [PMID: 31887565 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2019.101906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Neuro-Behcet's disease (NBD) is defined as a combination of neurologic symptoms and/or signs in a patient with Behcet's disease (BD). Relevant syndromes include brainstem syndrome, multiple-sclerosis like presentations, movement disorders, meningoencephalitic syndrome, myelopathic syndrome, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), and intracranial hypertension. Central nervous involvement falls into parenchymal and non-parenchymal subtypes. The parenchymal type is more prevalent and presents as brainstem, hemispheric, spinal, and meningoencephalitic manifestations. Non-parenchymal type includes CVST and arterial involvement. Perivascular infiltration of polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells is seen in most histo-pathologic reports. In parenchymal NBD, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) generally exhibits pleocytosis, increased protein and normal glucose. In NBD and CVST, CSF pressure is increased but content is usually normal. The typical acute NBD lesions in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are mesodiencephalic lesions. The pattern of extension from thalamus to midbrain provides a cascade sign. Brain MRI in chronic NBD usually shows brain or brainstem atrophy and/or black holes. The spinal MRI in the acute or subacute myelopathies reveals noncontiguous multifocal lesions mostly in cervical and thoracic lesions. In chronic patients, cord atrophy can also be seen. Brain MRI (particularly susceptibility-weighted images), MR venography (MRV) and computerized tomographic venography (CTV) can be used to diagnose CVST. Parenchymal NBD attacks can be treated with glucocorticoids alone or in combination with azathioprine. For patients with relapsing-remitting or progressive courses, shifting to more potent immunosuppressive drugs such as mycophenolate, methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, or targeted therapy is warranted. For NBD and CVST, immunosuppressive drugs with or without anticoagulation are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bahareh Kardeh
- Clinical Neurology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shubhasree Banerjee
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Anahid Safari
- Stem Cells Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Sahraian
- MS Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
Behçet syndrome is considered to be a multisystemic vasculitis involving the skin, mucosa, eyes, joints, nervous system, cardiovascular system, and gastrointestinal system. The exact pathogenesis of the disease is unknown, but autoimmune factors are thought to play the main role. Vasculitis in Behçet syndrome can involve any kind and size of vessels, and this explains why the disease has the ability of multisystemic involvement. The commonest clinical presentation of Behçet syndrome is recurrent and painful mucocutaneous ulcerations known as aphthosis. The other clinical manifestations vary among patients and populations. The disease tends to be more severe in men. Ocular, vascular, and central nervous system involvements are the major causes of morbidity and mortality. Behçet syndrome is a mimicker of many diseases with its several faces and considered as one of the great imitators in dermatology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Necmettin Akdeniz
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ömer Faruk Elmas
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahi Evran University, Kırşehir, Turkey.
| | - Ayşe Serap Karadağ
- Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medeniyet University, Istanbul, Turkey
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11
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Bolek EC, Sari A, Kilic L, Karadag O. Interferon alpha might be an alternative therapeutic choice for refractory Neuro-Behçet's disease. Mult Scler Relat Disord 2019; 29:153. [PMID: 30885370 DOI: 10.1016/j.msard.2019.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2018] [Accepted: 01/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ertugrul Cagri Bolek
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Gevher Nesibe Street, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
| | - Alper Sari
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Gevher Nesibe Street, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Levent Kilic
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Gevher Nesibe Street, Ankara 06100, Turkey
| | - Omer Karadag
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hacettepe University, Gevher Nesibe Street, Ankara 06100, Turkey.
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12
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Ozguler Y, Leccese P, Christensen R, Esatoglu SN, Bang D, Bodaghi B, Çelik AF, Fortune F, Gaudric J, Gul A, Kötter I, Mahr A, Moots RJ, Richter J, Saadoun D, Salvarani C, Scuderi F, Sfikakis PP, Siva A, Stanford M, Tugal-Tutkun I, West R, Yurdakul S, Olivieri I, Yazici H, Hatemi G. Management of major organ involvement of Behçet’s syndrome: a systematic review for update of the EULAR recommendations. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018; 57:2200-2212. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/key242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yesim Ozguler
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pietro Leccese
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IRel) and the Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza and Matera, Italy
| | - Robin Christensen
- Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, Musculoskeletal Statistics Unit, The Parker Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Rheumatology, Odense University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sinem Nihal Esatoglu
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Dongsik Bang
- Department of Dermatology, Catholic Kwandong University International St Mary’s Hospital, Incheon, Korea
| | - Bahram Bodaghi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Aykut Ferhat Çelik
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Farida Fortune
- Centre for Clinical and Diagnostic Oral Sciences, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- The London Behçet’s Centre, Barts Health London, London, UK
| | - Julien Gaudric
- Department of Vascular Surgery, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Ahmet Gul
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ina Kötter
- Asklepios Clinic Altona, Department of Rheumatology, Immunology and Nephrology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alfred Mahr
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital Saint-Louis, Paris, France
| | - Robert J Moots
- National Behcet’s Syndrome Centre of Excellence, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jutta Richter
- Institute for Haematopathology Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - David Saadoun
- Department of Inflammation-Immunopathology-Biotherapy, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Paris, France
- INSERM, Paris, France
- CNRS, Paris, France
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-Immunes et Systémiques Rares, Centre de Référence des Maladies Auto-Inflammatoires, AP-HP, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Carlo Salvarani
- Division of Rheumatology, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | | | - Petros P Sfikakis
- First Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine & Rheumatology Unit, National Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece
| | - Aksel Siva
- Department of Neurology, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Miles Stanford
- Department of Ophthalmology, St Thomas’ Hospital, London, UK
| | - Ilknur Tugal-Tutkun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Richard West
- Member of the UK Behcet’s Syndrome Society and Director of Behcets International, Patient Research Partner, London, UK
| | - Sebahattin Yurdakul
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ignazio Olivieri
- Rheumatology Institute of Lucania (IRel) and the Rheumatology Department of Lucania, San Carlo Hospital of Potenza and Madonna delle Grazie Hospital of Matera, Potenza and Matera, Italy
- Basilicata Ricerca Biomedica (BRB) Foundation, Potenza and Matera, Italy
| | - Hasan Yazici
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gulen Hatemi
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Cerrahpasa Medical School, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Park YE, Cheon JH. Updated treatment strategies for intestinal Behçet's disease. Korean J Intern Med 2018; 33:1-19. [PMID: 29207867 PMCID: PMC5768550 DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2017.377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, idiopathic, relapsing immune-mediated disease involving multiple organs, and is characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, ocular disease, gastrointestinal ulcers, vascular diseases, and skin lesions. In particular, gastrointestinal involvement in BD is followed by severe complications, including massive bleeding, bowel perforation, and fistula, which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. However, the management of intestinal BD has not yet been properly established. Intestinal BD patients with a severe clinical course experience frequent disease aggravations and often require recurrent corticosteroid and/or immunomodulatory therapies, or even surgery. However, a considerable number of patients with intestinal BD are often refractory to conventional therapies such as corticosteroids and immunomodulators. Recently, there has been a line of evidence suggesting that biologics such as infliximab and adalimumab are effective in treating intestinal BD. Moreover, new biologics targeting proteins other than tumor necrosis factor α are emerging and are under active investigation. Therefore, in this paper, we review the current therapeutic strategies and new clinical data for the treatment of intestinal BD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Eun Park
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Hee Cheon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Institute of Gastroenterology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Lopalco G, Rigante D, Venerito V, Fabiani C, Franceschini R, Barone M, Lapadula G, Galeazzi M, Frediani B, Iannone F, Cantarini L. Update on the Medical Management of Gastrointestinal Behçet's Disease. Mediators Inflamm 2017; 2017:1460491. [PMID: 28210071 PMCID: PMC5292121 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1460491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Behçet's disease (BD) is a multisystemic disorder of unknown etiology mainly defined by recurrent oral aphthosis, genital ulcers, and chronic relapsing bilateral uveitis, all of which represent the "stigmata" of disease. However, many other organs including the vascular, neurological, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal systems can be affected. The gastrointestinal involvement in Behçet's disease (GIBD), along with the neurological and vascular ones, represents the most feared clinical manifestation of BD and shares many symptoms with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Consequently, the differential diagnosis is often a daunting task, albeit the presence of typical endoscopic and pathologic findings may be a valuable aid to the exact diagnosis. To date, there are no standardized medical treatments for GIBD; therefore therapy should be tailored to the single patient and based on the severity of the clinical features and their complications. This work provides a digest of all current experience and evidence about pharmacological agents suggested by the medical literature as having a potential role for managing the dreadful features of GIBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lopalco
- 1Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Rheumatology Unit, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Donato Rigante
- 2Institute of Pediatrics, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Venerito
- 1Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Rheumatology Unit, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Claudia Fabiani
- 3Department of Ophthalmology, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Via Manzoni 56, Rozzano, 20089 Milan, Italy
| | - Rossella Franceschini
- 4Ophthalmology and Neurosurgery Department, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Michele Barone
- 5Section of Gastroenterology, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Lapadula
- 1Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Rheumatology Unit, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Mauro Galeazzi
- 6Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Bruno Frediani
- 6Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Florenzo Iannone
- 1Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Rheumatology Unit, University of Bari, Piazza Giulio Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Luca Cantarini
- 6Research Center of Systemic Autoinflammatory Diseases and Behçet's Disease Clinic, Department of Medical Sciences, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, Viale Bracci 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
- *Luca Cantarini:
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15
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Abstract
Behçet disease is a chronic inflammatory systemic disorder, characterized by a relapsing and remitting course. It manifests with oral and genital ulcerations, skin lesions, uveitis, and vascular, central nervous system and gastrointestinal involvement. The main histopathological finding is a widespread vasculitis of the arteries and veins of any size. The cause of this disease is presumed to be multifactorial involving infectious triggers, genetic predisposition, and dysregulation of the immune system. As the clinical expression of Behçet disease is heterogeneous, pharmacological therapy is variable and depends largely on the severity of the disease and organ involvement. Treatment of Behçet disease continues to be based largely on anecdotal case reports, case series, and a few randomized clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thurayya Arayssi
- Weill Cornell Medical College-Qatar, Education City, PO Box 24144, Doha, Qatar
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Diagnosis and management of Neuro-Behçet's disease: international consensus recommendations. J Neurol 2013; 261:1662-76. [PMID: 24366648 PMCID: PMC4155170 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-013-7209-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Accepted: 12/04/2013] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Neuro-Behçet’s disease (NBD) is one of the more serious manifestations of Behçet’s disease (BD), which is a relapsing inflammatory multisystem disease with an interesting epidemiology. Though NBD is relatively uncommon, being potentially treatable, neurologists need to consider it in the differential diagnosis of inflammatory, infective, or demyelinating CNS disorders. Evidence-based information on key issues of NBD diagnosis and management is scarce, and planning for such studies is challenging. We therefore initiated this project to develop expert consensus recommendations that might be helpful to neurologists and other clinicians, created through an extensive literature review and wide consultations with an international advisory panel, followed by a Delphi exercise. We agreed on consensus criteria for the diagnosis of NBD with two levels of certainty in addition to recommendations on when to consider NBD in a neurological patient, and on the use of various paraclinical tests. The management recommendations included treatment of the parenchymal NBD and cerebral venous thrombosis, the use of disease modifying therapies, prognostic factors, outcome measures, and headache in BD. Future studies are needed to validate the proposed criteria and provide evidence-based treatments.
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