Behcet's syndrome: a review for the genitourinary medicine physician

Abstract

Behcet's syndrome is a multisystem disorder due to vasculitis of unknown aetiology. It may present to genitourinary m edicine physicians with genital ulceration. Careful history-taking and clinical examination should allow a correct diagnosis which may be confirmed by reference to the new diagnostic criteria including perform ing a pathergy test. Of particular im portance is a prompt referral to an ophthalmologist for an ocular slit-lam p assessm ent as eye involvement can be severe and therapy needs to be started early in the course of the illness. The managem ent of Behc et's syndrome may also involve rheumatologists, gastroenterologists, neurologists and immunologists. Close liaison between these clinicians may be necessary to provide optim um care for the patient with Behcet's syndrome.