Behçet disease leads to swelling of the blood vessels and affects multiple organs throughout the body. Symptoms may include ulcers affecting the mouth and genitals, various skin lesions, and swelling of the membranes affecting the eyes. In some people, symptoms include arthritis (swollen, painful, stiff joints), skin problems, and inflammation of the digestive tract, brain, and spinal cord. Symptoms of Behçet disease may be active and then become inactive. In some cases, Behçet disease may lead to vision loss and neurological problems. The exact cause of Behçet disease is unknown, but it is thought to be due to a combination of genetic, immune, and environmental factors. Diagnosis is based on the symptoms and clinical examination. Diagnostic guidelines have been published.
About Behçet disease
Many rare diseases have limited information. Currently GARD is able to provide the following information for Behçet disease:
Population Estimate:In the US, there are less than 50,000 with this disease.
Symptoms:May start to appear from Childhood to Adulthood.
Experts:Patient organizations are available to help find a specialist for this condition.
Organizations:Organizations specific to this condition are available to help find support.
The most common ages for symptoms of a disease to begin is called age of onset. Age of onset can vary for different diseases and may be used by a doctor to determine the diagnosis. For some diseases, symptoms may begin in a single age range or several age ranges. For other diseases, symptoms may begin any time during a person's life.
Prenatal
Before Birth
Newborn
Birth-4 weeks
Infant
1-23 months
Child Selected
2-11 years
Adolescent Selected
12-18 years
Adult Selected
19-65 years
Older Adult
65+ years
Symptoms may start to appear from Childhood to Adulthood.
Symptoms
These symptoms may be different from person to person. Some people may have more symptoms than others and symptoms can range from mild to severe. This list does not include every symptom. This disease might cause these symptoms:
Musculoskeletal System
66 Symptoms
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List View
Tile View
List View
Musculoskeletal System
The musculoskeletal system is made up of the bones, muscles, and joints. Common symptoms of problems in the musculoskeletal system include pain, weakness, stiffness, noises in the joints, inflammation, and decreased range of motion. Diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system may be diagnosed and treated by an orthopedist, rheumatologist, or neuromuscular specialist.
Medical Term
Arthritis
Frequency
Uncommon
Very frequent
Very frequent
Always
Description
Inflammation of a joint.
Inflammation of a joint.
Synonym
Joint inflammation
Joint inflammation
66 Symptoms
Causes
This section is currently in development.
Advocacy and Support Groups
How can a patient organization be helpful?
Patient advocacy and support organizations offer many valuable services and often drive the research and development of treatments for their disease(s). Because these organizations include the life experiences of many different people who have a specific disease, they may best understand the resources needed by those in their community. Although missions of organizations may differ, services may include, but are not limited to:
Ways to connect to others and share personal stories
Easy-to-read information
Latest treatment and research information
Lists of specialists or specialty centers
Financial aid and travel resources
Please note: GARD provides the names of patient organizations for informational purposes only and not as an endorsement of their services. Please contact the organization directly if you have questions about the information or resources they provide.
Some organizations build a community of patients and families impacted by a specific disease or group of related diseases. These organizations usually have more disease-specific information and services, including helping new members find others who have the same disease.
What do organizations that focus on a medical condition do?
Some organizations build a community of patients and families impacted by a medical condition, like epilepsy, or related conditions, like heart problems, that may also be a symptom in other diseases. These organizations usually have information and services focused more on the medical condition(s), but may also have information about associated diseases.
What do umbrella organizations do?
Rare disease umbrella organizations focus on improving the lives of all those impacted by rare diseases through education and advocacy efforts. Umbrella organizations provide a range of services for patients, families, and disease-specific organizations.
Research increases what we know about rare diseases so that people can get a diagnosis more quickly and can know what to expect. Research also helps doctors better understand how well a treatment works and can lead to new treatment discoveries. It may even help improve diagnosis and treatment of more common diseases.
How do you find the right clinical study?
Current clinical studies can be found by using ClinicalTrials.gov (see below). Doctors, other trusted medical professionals, and patient organizations may also be aware of studies.
To determine whether a study may be appropriate:
Discuss the clinical study with a trusted medical provider before enrolling
Review the "Study Description," which discusses the purpose of the study, and "Eligibility Criteria," which lists who can and cannot participate in the study
Work with the research coordinator to review the written informed consent, including the risks and benefits of the study
Inquire about the specific treatments and procedures, location of the study, number of visits, and time obligation
Determine whether health insurance is required and whether there are costs to the participant for the medical care, travel, and lodging
Ask questions. Remember, it is okay to decide not to participate in research
For More Information
How do you find the right clinical study?
Current clinical studies can be found by using ClincalTrials.gov. Doctors, other trusted medical professionals, and patient organizations may also be aware of studies. Researchers from participating institutions use the database to search for patients or healthy volunteers who meet their study criteria.
How do you find the right clinical study?
Current clinical studies can be found by using ClinicalTrials.gov (see below). Doctors, other trusted medical professionals, and patient organizations may also be aware of studies.
To determine whether a study may be appropriate:
Discuss the clinical study with a trusted medical provider before enrolling
Review the "Study Description," which discusses the purpose of the study, and "Eligibility Criteria," which lists who can and cannot participate in the study
Work with the research coordinator to review the written informed consent, including the risks and benefits of the study
Inquire about the specific treatments and procedures, location of the study, number of visits, and time obligation
Determine whether health insurance is required and whether there are costs to the participant for the medical care, travel, and lodging
Ask questions. Remember, it is okay to decide not to participate in research
For More Information
How do you find the right clinical study?
Current clinical studies can be found by using ClincalTrials.gov. Doctors, other trusted medical professionals, and patient organizations may also be aware of studies. Researchers from participating institutions use the database to search for patients or healthy volunteers who meet their study criteria.
Data from Orphanet and Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) are used to provide information on a disease's symptoms, genes, inheritance, population estimates, and more.