Behcet's disease in Oman

ABSTRACT

This is a study of 25 patients of Behcet's Disease [BD] who were followed from 1990 to 1996 at the dermatology department of Baushar and AI Nahdha hospital, Muscat. The diagnosis of the BD was based on the clinical criteria set by the International Study Group for Behcet's disease. Their presenting features, progress, complications as observed in Oman and the response to the various therapies are discussed. Ocular involvement has been the dreaded complication that has maximally debilitated the patients [13/25], i.e. 52% developed eye problems out of which 8 patients, i.e. 32%, eventually became economical blind. Chronic mouth ulceration was seen in 100%, while genital ulcerations were seen in 64% of the cases. The CNS was affected in 16%.Simuzi's classification of complete and partial Behcet's disease is highlighted for its significance of suspecting the cases earlier and in view of using immunosuppressive prophylaxis therapy that is supposed to prevent eye complications. The aim of this paper is to highlight the prevalence of this disease in this region and its high association of eye complications so that awareness is created which will lead to early suspicion and detection of such cases