We assessed endothelial dysfunction (ED) in patients with Behcet disease (BD; n = 40) and healthy controls (n = 20). Serum lipid, homocysteine, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESRs), and ultrasonographic flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) were measured. Mean hsCRP, ESR, homocysteine, and ADMA were significantly higher in the BD group (P < .001 for all). Patients with active BD had higher serum levels of hsCRP, homocysteine, and ESR compared with those in remission (P < .001, P < .001, and P = .005, respectively). Flow-mediated dilatation was significantly lower in patients with BD than in controls (P = .001). Flow-mediated dilatation correlated negatively with BD duration and serum ADMA levels (P < .001, r = −.745 and P < .001, r = −.682); a positive correlation was seen between serum ADMA levels and BD duration (P < .001, r = .552). Only stepwise multivariate regression analysis revealed BD duration to have a significant effect on FMD. Flow-mediated dilatation, in conjunction with markers of inflammation, may evaluate ED in patients with BD.
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