Behçet hastalığında üst gastrointestinal sistem bulguları ve Helikobakter pilori sıklığı

Abstract

Background/aim: Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic recurrent systemic disease of unknown etiology characterized by the presence of oral ulceration, eye lesions, and positive pathergy test. Gastrointestinal system involvement may affect all areas from the esophagus to the anus. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection is the most common bacterial gastrointestinal infection worldwide and has a role in duodenal and gastric ulcer disease. In this study, we aimed at studying the frequency of gastrointestinal pathologies endoscopically and that of Hp in patients with Behcet's disease living in our region. Materials and methods: Twenty one patients (12 male, 9 female) who met the diagnostic criteria of the international study group for Behcet's disease were included in our study. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed in all patients because of dyspeptic complaints. Biopsies were taken to indicate the occurrence of Hp from gastric antrum, corpus and angulus. Results: The mean age of patients was 36±7.7 years (24-52). Their mean disease intervals were 60.5±75.8 months (1-324). Endoscopic examinations showed esophagitis in 3 patients (14.2%), gastric ulcer in 5 patients (23.8%), duodenitis in 11 patients (52.3%), and gastritis in all patients (100%). Histopathological investigations revealed Hp-positive chronic active gastritis in 16 patients (76.1%), and Hp-negative chronic gastritis in 5 patients (23.8%). There was a statistically significant relation when patients were compared with Hp positivity rate detected in 9 of control group. Histopathologically Hp (+) chronic gastritis was detected in all 6 patients with active disease. Conclusion: Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy should be done in Behcet's disease patients with dyspeptic complaints. Hp eradication should be applied to patients with dyspeptic complaints and with active disease if there is no opportunity for endoscopy.