Behcet's Syndrome

Key points

• Behcet's syndrome is a complex multisystem disorder associated with presumed autoimmune mediated inflammation of the arteries and veins. The precise aetiology has yet to be elucidated however.
• more common in the eastern Mediterranean (e.g. Turkey)
• more common in men (complicated gender distribution which varies according to country. Overall, Behcet's is considered to be more common and more severe in men)
• tends to affect young adults (e.g. 20 - 40 years old)
• associated with HLA B5* and MICA6 allele