Cognitive and psychological evaluation of a sample of egyptian patients with behcet’s disease without neurological manifestations: a case–control study

Abstract

Objective Behcet’s disease (BD) is a chronic autoimmune multisystemic vasculitis of unknown cause that affects one case per 170 000 persons in the USA. There are few studies in the literature that targeted BD patient group for cognitive and psychological evaluation and scarce studies that evaluated the patients with BD without neurological manifestations. In this study, we aimed to assess those who have BD without neurological manifestations for cognitive and psychological impairments. Patients and methods A case–control study was conducted. A total of 45 consecutive adult patients, aged 18–60 years, diagnosed with BD without neurological manifestations were evaluated for cognitive and psychological impairments and compared with 30 age-matched and sex-matched healthy control participants. Detailed clinical evaluation was done including disease activity measurement using Behcet’s Disease Current Activity Form. Participants completed a group of neuropsychological assessment including Memory Assessment Scale, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, Short Form 36 Quality-Of-Life questionnaire, and Global Assessment of Functioning scale. Results Compared with the control group, patients with BD scored lower in Memory Assessment Scale (total and subscores), Short Form 36 Quality-Of-Life questionnaire, and Global Assessment of Functioning scores. BD group showed significantly higher prevalence of depression and anxiety. Conclusion BD without neurological manifestations was associated with cognitive and psychological impairment, and this was not restricted to cases with neuro-BD.