Initial Sign and Period Until the Diagnosis of Behçet's Diseased Patients in Sulaimani Rheumatology Center

Abstract

Objective: The present study aimed to register the initial clinical findings in BD patients regarding age, sex, and family history as well as to estimate the time lapse until establishing the diagnosis. 
 Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was implemented to include 50 cases of Behçet's disease over 14 years from the Rheumatology center in Sulaimani governorate-Iraq. Data were tabulated and analyzed by chi-square and independent t-test. 
 Results: The sample predominates in females (56%). The male-to-female ratio was 0.78:1. Their ages ranged from 23 to 71 years (43.92 ± 12.02 years). The most affected age group was 41-50 (16 cases, 32%). To a major extent, the first reported sign was oral ulceration (94%); however, the ocular lesion was the first sign in 3 females (6%). Family history was present in relatives of 6 cases (1 male and five females). An average delay of (10.66 ± 6.77) years was noted from the initial manifestation of the first sign to the time of diagnosis. 
 Conclusions: Dentists could reduce the delay in Behçet's disease diagnosis because patients in clinical settings may give a history of recurrent oral ulceration with other manifestations that infer possible background of BD.