Understanding Behcet’s Disease: Recent Progress and Unmet Needs

Behcet’s disease is a chronic and relapsing inflammatory condition that affects multiple organs, leading to severe symptoms that can have a significant impact on quality of life. The disease is characterized by inflammation in the vascular, intestinal, and central nervous systems, which can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Recent Advances in Treatment

In recent years, significant progress has been made in the treatment of Behcet’s disease, particularly with the introduction of biological agents such as anti-TNF. These advancements have improved the effectiveness of treatments, offering new hope for patients suffering from this debilitating condition.

Despite these advances, there are still unmet needs in various fields of Behcet’s disease research. Several genes, including HLA-B51, have been shown to be associated with the disease, and abnormalities in T helper cells have been implicated in its pathogenesis. Furthermore, recent discoveries in the field of innate immunity have shed light on the dual aspects of Behcet’s disease, which involves both autoimmunity and autoinflammation.

Diagnosis and Treatment Challenges

Despite the progress made, there are still controversies surrounding the diagnosis and treatment of recalcitrant manifestations of Behcet’s disease. The development of novel classification for neurological involvement, discovered in Japan, has led to the establishment of diagnostic criteria and treatment recommendations, which is a significant step forward in managing this complex condition.

This publication brings together the most up-to-date research findings, sponsored by the Japanese government and contributed by Korean researchers, to provide valuable insights into the understanding and management of Behcet’s disease. The book is a valuable resource for a range of specialists, including rheumatologists, immunologists, and neurologists, who are involved in the care of patients with this intractable disease.

Publication Details
Hardcover: 179 pages
Publisher: Nova Science Pub Inc
Publication Date: July 20, 2015
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1634828933
ISBN-13: 978-1634828932