The relationship between deep vein thrombosis and erythema nodosum in male patients with Behçet's disease

OBJECTIVE

The pathogenesis of thrombosis in Behçet's Disease (BD) is unknown, however, multiple factors leading to the disease may include hypercoagulability, hypofibrinolysis and endothelial injury. We sought to evaluate the frequency of erythema nodosum-like lesions (ENLL) due to the presence of vasculitis in ENLL observed in BD in male patients with BD with and without deep vein thrombosis. To our knowledge this is the first study to investigate the association of ENLL between the groups with or without thrombosis in only male patients with BD.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The study included 92 patients, 41 of whom had deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and 51 had no thrombosis that met the international diagnosis criteria for BD. Vascular involvement was diagnosed based on clinical signs; radiological findings from Doppler, ultrasonography and/or angiography computed tomographic or magnetic resonance. ENLL were diagnosed by means of biopsy in suspected cases.

RESULTS

Since both groups were age-matched, there were no statistically significant differences in regard to age (p > 0.05). Twenty-four patients (66%) of the DVT group, had ENLL, while18 patients (35%) of the group without DVT had ENLL. In male patients with vascular involvement, the frequency of ENLL was significantly higher than that of male patients without vascular involvement (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The male Behçet's patients with ENLL compose high-risk patient group in terms of complications, such as DVT. We therefore recommend that male patients with ENLL be monitored more carefully for DVT.

Presence of low lipid levels in patients with Behcet' s disease as a protector against atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

A relapsing systemic inflammatory process is a well-known feature of Behcet's disease. Because systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, Behcet's disease may play a part in the development of atherosclerosis. Lipid profile in Behcet's disease and the development of atherosclerosis remain to be controversial. In order to learn more about this relationship, our study compared blood lipid levels in healthy controls to those in patients with Behcet's disease during both their active and inactive stages.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between December 2010 and March 2012, this prospective, observational study was designed to evaluate three groups The study included 91 Behcet's patients (36 in active and 55 in inactive period) and 61 healthy control subjects matched for age, gender, and body mass index. Data from lipid profiles included total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein. Acute phase reactants were also recorded, including high sensitive C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels.

RESULTS

Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of patients in active stage were significantly lower than those in inactive stage, while total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels were lower in the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with Behcet's disease in the active period may be less susceptible to atherogenic events as compared with the controls and those in the inactive period of the disease.