Behcet syndrome

Many patients go into remission with time and treatment. Most new manifestations present within the first 5 years after the onset of symptoms.[7]Kural-Seyahi E, Fresko I, Seyahi N, et al. The long-term mortality and morbidity of Behcet's syndrome: a 2-decade outcome survey of 387 patients followed at a dedicated center. Medicine (Baltimore). 2003 Jan;82(1):60-76. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12544711?tool=bestpractice.com ​ Because patients are not likely to require lifelong treatment with immunosuppressants, long-term complications of treatment are a lesser concern. If symptoms are controlled and flares are minimal for 1-2 years, medication doses may be tapered down to allow observation on whether the severity of the syndrome has abated.

Disease involving the central nervous system has a variable prognosis. Cerebral venous thrombosis can be treated with immunosuppressants and has a better prognosis than parenchymal involvement, which may respond intermittently to therapy. Ocular, major vascular, and gastrointestinal involvement may also be associated with a poor prognosis.[19]Hatemi G, Christensen R, Bang D, et al. 2018 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of Behçet's syndrome. Ann Rheum Dis. 2018 Jun;77(6):808-18. https://ard.bmj.com/content/77/6/808.long http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29625968?tool=bestpractice.com

One cohort study investigated 20-year outcomes for patients with Behcet disease who were diagnosed during the 1970s and 1980s. Mortality was approximately 10%, mostly due to major arterial or central nervous system involvement. Mortality and morbidity were highest among young men.[7]Kural-Seyahi E, Fresko I, Seyahi N, et al. The long-term mortality and morbidity of Behcet's syndrome: a 2-decade outcome survey of 387 patients followed at a dedicated center. Medicine (Baltimore). 2003 Jan;82(1):60-76. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12544711?tool=bestpractice.com