Arterial aneurysms in Behçet’s disease patients: Frequency, clinical characteristics and long-term outcome

• Main Authors: Nehal El-Ghobashy, Kamal El-Garf, Marwa Abdo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2019-10-01
• Series: Egyptian Rheumatologist
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1110116418301455

Introduction: Vasculitis in Behçet’s disease (BD) is common and unique as it can involve blood vessels of any type and any size. Literature on the characteristics of arterial aneurysms (AA) is scanty. Aim of the work: To present the clinical characteristics and long-term outcome of BD patients with AA compared to those without. Patients and methods: The medical records of 146 BD patients admitted to the Rheumatology Department, Cairo University Hospitals (2004–2017) were retrospectively revised. The frequency and anatomical location of arterial aneurysms were recorded and the associated clinical characteristics analyzed. Results: The mean age of the BD patients was 34.3 ± 8.02 years and they were 127 males and 19 females (6.7:1) with disease duration of 6.81 ± 3.67 years. Apart from oro-genital ulcerations; deep venous thrombosis was the most common associated manifestation while the musculoskeletal manifestations were the least. Twenty-seven (18.4%) patients had arterial aneurysms. All of them were males. Pulmonary artery was the most common artery involved (44.4%) followed by abdominal aorta. Surgical intervention was done for 40.7% patients. The mortality rate was 14.8% (4 patients) in those with AA while it was 2.5% (3 patients) in those without. Conclusion: Arterial aneurysms are common in Egyptian BD patients mostly males. Increased awareness of the rheumatologists and including appropriate imaging techniques for early detection of AA in BD are mandatory. Early detection and prompt treatment with immunosuppressives may improve the disease outcome. Keywords: Behçet’s disease, Vasculitis, Arterial aneurysms, Outcome