BEHCETS-DISEASE IN INDIA - A CLINICAL, IMMUNOLOGICAL, IMMUNOGENETIC AND OUTCOME STUDY

The clinical and laboratory profile of 58 consecutive patients satisfy ing the ISG 1990 criteria for the diagnosis of Behcet's disease was an alysed. It appears that Behcet's disease in India is predominantly 'mu cocutaneous' and 'arthritic'; 'ocular' and 'neuro' Behcet's being unco mmon. In comparison to published literature, the onset of disease in t his part of the world is significantly delayed. The pathergy test is r arely positive. There is no significant difference in clinical present ation and laboratory investigations between children and adults with t his disease; also, no sex difference was observed. A combination of or al steroids and colchicine gives good relief in most cases. Preliminar y observations seem to reflect no definite association of any known cl ass I antigen to disease in this part of the world. A detailed study o n immunogenetics is underway.