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Behcet's Disease Reviewed 09-04-2001 Get Web page suited for printing Email this to a friend or colleague Studies with patients Table of Contents (click to jump to sections) What is Behcet's Disease?Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? Organizations What is Behcet's Disease? Behcet's disease is a rare, chronic, lifelong disorder that involves inflammation of blood vessels throughout the body. Symptoms of Behcet's disease include recurrent oral ulcers (resembling canker sores), recurrent genital ulcers, and eye inflammation. The disorder may also cause various types of skin lesions, arthritis, bowel inflammation, and meningitis (inflammation of the membranes of the brain and spinal cord). Behcet's disease generally begins when patients are in their 20s or 30s, although all age groups may be affected. Behcet's is a multisystem disease; it may involve all organs and affect the central nervous system, causing memory loss and impaired speech, balance, and movement. The effects of the disease may include blindness, stroke, swelling of the spinal cord, and intestinal complications. Is there any treatment? What is the prognosis? What research is being done? American Behcet's Disease Association
National Eye Institute (NEI)
National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial
Research (NIDCR)
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
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