Clinical Features of Intestinal Behoet's Disease and Therapeutic Effects of Sulfasalazine

Yoo, Hyo Min; Han, Kwang Hyub; Kim, Pum Soo; Kim, Won Ho; Kang, Jin Kyung; Park, In Suh; Bang, Dong Sik

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intestinal Behcet disease often has a serious course, and a high frequency of perforation and hemorrhage has been reported. The standard treatment for this disease has not been settled.
METHODS
For the understanding of the clinical features of intestinal Behcet disease and the therapeutic effects of sulfasalazine, 31 patients with Behcet disease who were admitted to the Yonsei University Medical College Hospital from 1981 to 1993 were reviewed.
RESULTS
The mean age wos 35.5 years and the ratio of male to female was 1.8:1. The main clinical symptoms were abdorninal pain, bloody stool, and diarrhea. The intestinal lesions were most comrnonly found in the ileoceca] region(84%) and the most common lesions were discrete ulcers(94%). The localized distribution(81%) of ulcers was rnore prevalent than the diffuse form and the incidence of a single ulcer was similar to that of multiple ulcers. Operation were performed in 13 cases and the indications of operation were peritonitis(3 cases), persisted abdominal pain(2 cases), fistula t'ormation(J case), intestinal obstruction(1 case), massive bleeding(1 case), and obscure diagnosis(S cases). Steroid and colchicine were used in 22 cases and sulfasalazine in 14 cases. Symptomatic or colonoscopic improvernent was more frequent in sulfasalazine(79%) than steroid & colchicine(36%).
CONCLUSIONS
Intestinal Behet diseases should be treated with medical therapy than surgery except the inevitable cases such as bowel perforation or massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Sulfasalazine is relatively effective and could be used as the primary drug in intestinal Behc,et disease.