A case of Behcet's disease successfully managed with dapsone

ABSTRACT

Behcet's disease is a chronic, relapsing, inflammatory multisystem disorder characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcerations along with eye lesions (anterior uveitis, posterior uveitis, cells in vitreous on slit lamp examination, retinal vasculitis observed by ophthalmologist), skin lesions (erythema nodosum, pseudofolliculitis, papulopustular lesions, acneiform nodules), arthralgia, central nervous system and vascular involvement, and gastrointestinal manifestations. The etiology of Behcet's disease remains unknown. We report a case of a 48-year-old male with a 25-year-history of blindness, recurrent ulcers on mucosal surfaces, and papulopustular lesions on the trunk. Dapsone is an easily available, cheap and relatively safe drug, useful particularly in the management of the mucocutaneous symptoms of Behcet's disease. Dapsone 100 mg was given daily for one month which resulted in improvement of skin and mucosal lesions. Early diagnosis and treatment of this condition is important to prevent irreversible organ damage and mandatory to reduce mortality and morbidity.