Korean J Gastroenterol.  2007 Jul;50(1):3-8.

Pathogenesis and Treatment of Intestinal Behcet's Disease

• Lee CK
• Kim HJ

Abstract

Intestinal Behcet's disease (BD) refers to colonic ulcerative lesions documented by objective measures in patients with BD. Although the causes of intestinal BD are unknown, genetic, environmental, and immunological factors have been suggested. Intestinal BD is common in BD patients from Far East, while it is uncommon in those from the Middle East. The reasons for such peculiar geographic distribution in intestinal BD are unknown, but may provide clues for the elucidation of putative etiological agents or genetic factors that might be associated with intestinal BD. Although the treatment of Crohn's disease has improved significantly during past decade, the treatment of intestinal BD is still problematic. Corticosteroids, sulfasalazine, immunomodulators, and colchicines have been used to treat intestinal BD with varying degree of success. Thalidomide and its analogues also appear to be applicable. Monoclonal antibodies to TNF-alpha have recently been focused as a novel therapeutic option for patients with intestinal BD.

Keyword

Behcet's disease; Intestine; Etiology; Therapy

MeSH Terms

Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use
Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
Behcet Syndrome/*drug therapy/*etiology
Colchicine/therapeutic use
Colitis, Ulcerative/*drug therapy/*etiology
Crohn Disease/etiology
Humans
Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use
Prognosis
Sulfasalazine/therapeutic use
Thalidomide/therapeutic use
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology