Behcet's Disease in Korean

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Behcet's disease is a chronic, recurrent, multisystemic disorder, which visual prognosis is poor. The clinical and epidemiological characteristics of Behcet's disease in Korean were evaluated. METHODS: The clinical records on 3,175 patients with Behcet's disease diagnosed at Behcet's disease clinic in Severance Hospital between November 1983 and December 1999 were reviewed. RESULTS: Among all 3,175 patients, the men/women ratio of Behcet's disease was 11.6. The age of disease onset was the highest in the thirties (33.8%). The most frequent major and minor symptom was oral ulcer (97.7%) and arthritis (32.8%) respectively, and the proportion of ocular symptom was 19.3%. The most frequent initial symptom was oral ulcer (77.4%). The ratio of men/women with ocular symptom was 10.98. The mean interval between the initial symptom and ocular symptom was 34 months, and the most common ocular symptom was iritis (79.0%). The most frequent systemic drug administered in patients with ocular involvement was colchicines (35%). Visual acuity was worsened in 56% of the eyes followed for over 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: The authors notice the characteristics of Behcet's disease in Korean and suggest that the continuous and nationwide survey is further necessary.