Behcet's Syndrome - Behcet's Disease - Causes - Symptoms - Treatment

Behcet’s syndrome, also known as Behcet’s disease, is named after Hulusi Behcet, a skin specialist who was among the first physicians in modern medicine to describe the classical features of this condition. However, Hippocrates, the father of medicine, had recognized the condition way back in the 5th century BC.

Behcet’s syndrome is common along the Old Silk Route that stretches from the Far East to the Mediterranean through which silk was traded. The reason for this distribution is not known. It is most common in Turkey where the number of cases varies between 80 to 370 per 100,000 people.

In Europe and United States, it is very rare and varies from 0.1 to 7.5 cases per 100,000 people.


Behcet’s syndrome belongs to a group of diseases called vasculitis. Most of the symptoms in this group are caused because small blood vessels are affected.

The symptoms continue over prolonged periods and recur even after treatment.

It causes mouth and genital ulcers, inflammation of the eye and skin. In addition, organs such as brain and spinal cord, digestive system, joints and large blood vessels are often affected.

Treatment includes drugs such as corticosteroids, indomethacin, sulfasalazine and mesalamine. Oral ulcers are treated with local corticosteroid gel.