Epidemiology and Clinical Profile of Behcet’s Disease in a Sub-Saharan Country: About Five Observations

Abstract

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multi-systemic vasculitis characterized by a triad made up of oral aphthosis, genital aphthosis and uveitis which may or may not be associated with visceral involvement. Other times described in the ancient silk road, BD is increasingly found in countries south of the Sahara with the mixing of populations. Our objective was to describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of BD in an African country. Methodology: This was a five-year retrospective study in the internal medicine department of Donka National Hospital. We used international criteria finding BD. Urinary dipstick was use for finding kidney disease. Result: During the period, five cases of Behçet’s disease were collected. The average age was 35 years old. The male sex was more represented with 3 out of 5 cases. The most common clinical manifestation was oral aphthosis in all patients (100%), followed by genital aphthosis in 4 cases (80%). The other clinical manifestations observed were uveitis in 3 cases (60%), joint manifestations such as arthralgia in 3 cases (60%) and neurological manifestations such as chronic headache in one case (20%). HLA-B51 was found in two cases. The pattergic test done in two patients came back positive (100%). The patients received colchicine and oral corticosteroid therapy. Two patients were lost to sight. We deplored a death probably in a neuro-Behçet table before the rebellious headaches. Conclusion: Behçet’s disease is a multi-systemic vasculitis that must be evoked and managed quickly in a tropical environment, especially since the prognosis, vital and functional prognosis can be engaged.