Pw. Radke et al., Thrombosis in Behcet's disease: Report of a case followed by a systematic review using the methodology of evidence-based medicine, J THROMB TH, 11(2), 2001, pp. 137-141
Background: Behcet's disease (BD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disease o
f unknown aetiology with a variety of organ manifestations.
Methods: A case of Behcet's disease complicated by deep vein thrombosis (DV
T) and inferior vena cava thrombosis referred to our institution is reporte
d. In addition, a structured literature search using the methodology of evi
dence-based medicine for the localization of venous lesions, treatment moda
lities, and outcome of patients with Behcet's disease and concurrent thromb
osis was performed. A modified validity score was assigned by established m
ethods.
Results: In total, 214 citations were identified using our search strategy.
Among these citations, 10 papers including a total of 32 patients (25 male
, 7 female) met the inclusion criteria and were incorporated into this over
view together with our patient. All studies consisted of serial case report
s without control subjects. Neither localization of venous lesions, nor tre
atment modalities were homogenous not allowing general recommendations.
Conclusions: No data are available from controlled studies regarding treatm
ent modalities of patients presenting with Behcet's disease complicated by
concurrent thrombosis. This lack of evidence implicates the need for large
scale and co-ordinated registries including data on the acute treatment as
well as the prevention of future thrombotic events in this clinical setting
. The diagnostic criteria of the "International Study Group for Behcet's Di
sease" may well serve as a basis for this approach.