Vascular involvements in Behçet's disease: a retrospective clinical study of 41 cases

Abstract

Objective This study aims to investigate the frequency and characteristics of vascular involvement in Behcet's disease (BD). Methods We enrolled patients who were hospitalized at Changhai Hospital affiliated Naval Medical University and who had been diagnosed with BD at discharge from January 1999 to July 2017. Patientswere divided into two groups, Vascular Behcet's disease (VBD) group and non-VBD group, according to vascular involvement or not. We recorded and compared the demographicinformation, disease activity scores Behcet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF), other systemic involvement and laboratory test results between the two groups. The clinical features of vascular involvement were analyzed. The measureddata were statistically analyzed with Student's t/t' test or Mann-Whitney U test. The numerical data were statistically analyzed with χ2 test or continuity correction χ2 test. Results The total numbers of BD patients were 224, including 120 males and 104 females. Vascular involvements were found in 41 (18.3%) cases, including 34 males and 7 females. VBD was more common in males (28.3% vs 6.7%, χ2=17.388, P<0.01). Of 41 VBD patients, 11 cases (26.8%) had single vascular lesions, and 30 cases (73.2%) had multiple vascular lesions. Moreover, 24 cases (58.5%) had arterial lesions, and 25 cases (61.0%) had venous lesions. Eight (19.5%) patients had both arterial and venous lesions. Compared to the non-VBD group, the VBD group had a higher frequency of cardiac involvement (22.0% vs 3.8%, χ2=16.592, P<0.01), a higher disease activity index score (BDCAF) [3.0(2.0, 4.0) score vs 2.0(2.0, 3.0) score, U=2 609.5, P=0.001], higher levels of C-reactiveprotein (CRP) (14.45(4.97, 64.08) mg/L vs 9.02(3.16, 26.53) mg/L, U=2 809, P=0.046) and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) [(17.6±7.7) μmol/L vs (7.1±2.1) μmol/L, t'=7.894, P<0.01]. Conclusion VBD mainly affectsmales. It mainly presentsas multiple lesions. Moreover, patients in the VBD group havehigher frequency of cardiac complications, higher disease activity index scores (BDCAF), higher levels of CRP and Hcy than the non-VBD group. These results may have great valueto predict and diagnoseof VBD. Key words: Behcet's syndrome; Vascular injuries; Retrospective studies