Behcet's disease and complex aphthosis

Behcet's disease is a complex multisystem disease diagnosed by means of cli nical criteria. Clinical features include oral and genital aphthae, pustula r vasculitic cutaneous lesions, and ocular, gastrointestinal, and vascular manifestations. We believe that complex aphthosis, characterized by oral or oral and genital ulcers, may be a forme fruste of Behcet's disease. Althou gh the pathogenesis of both Behcet's disease and complex aphthosis remain u nknown, immune factors, infectious agents, and effector mechanisms are impl icated. Treatment is based on the severity of systemic involvement and incl udes topical therapies as well as colchicine, dapsone, thalidomide, and imm unosuppressive agents.