The management of Behcet's syndrome

Behcet's syndrome (BS) originally described as a tried of oral aphthae, gen ital ulcerations and uveitis, is a systemic vasculitis that is prevalent in the Middle east, Far East and in the Mediterranean basin. It is characteri zed by a heightened state of inflammation although the main drive that init iates and sustains this is not yet elucidated. Suppression of this inflamma tory state constitutes the major goal of treatment and therapy is tailored according to the specific manifestations observed. We non have considerable more insight on drug management of BS compared to 20 years ago. Particular ly, within the recent past we have learned to use more rationally the agent s that were already available to us. This is especially true for azathiopri ne, cyclosporin A, thalidomide and colchicine, Promising data are also bein g collected with alpha-interferon. With these agents, significant progress has been achieved in the management of uveitis and mucocutaneous symptoms b ut treatment issues related to thrombotic problems, major vessel in involve ment and neurological disease have not yet been resolved.