Thoracic involvement in Behcet's disease and its correlation with multipleparameters

In Behcet's disease (BD), controversy has existed over the incidence of tho racic involvement, which may be a direct threat to the patient's life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the incidence of thoracic involvement in E D and its correlation with the number of diagnostic ED criteria of The Inte rnational Study Group (ISG), gender, disease duration, and the presence of symptoms. Forty-two ED patients, who had consecutively applied to different clinics in Turgut Ozal Medical Center Research Hospital, were included in the study. They were either newly diagnosed or already under treatment. All patients were examined by standard chest roentgenogram, spirometry, and th orax CT. Perfusion scintigraphies were obtained in patients with thoracic i nvolvement. Thoracic pathologic conditions were found in five patients (11. 9%). All thoracic pathologic conditions appeared in patients with at least four diagnostic criteria (26 patients) of the ISG for ED. In this subgroup, the rate of thoracic involvement was 19.2%. Also, 25% of the patients with pulmonary symptoms (12 patients) had thoracic lesions. Gender and the dura tion of the disease did not correlate with thoracic involvement. Our findin gs suggest that the rate of thoracic involvement in ED is greater than is g enerally believed. An increased number of diagnostic ED criteria of the ISG may indicate other organ system involvement and an increased risk of thora cic pathosis. All ED patients with at least four diagnostic criteria or any pulmonary symptoms should be evaluated for thoracic involvement, which is a major menace to life and necessitates early intervention.