Clinical Characteristics of Behcet's Disease in 453 Egyptian Patients Suffering from Uveitis with Gender Comparison

Objective: To describe the clinical features in patients with Behcet's disease suffering from uveitis in Egypt and to compare the findings between both genders. Methods: 453 subjects fulfilling the 1990 Classification criteria for Behcet's disease and with uveitis in at least one eye. Follow-up was done for two years. Results: Oral ulcers and recurrent iridocyclitis occurred in all patients during their disease course. The prevalence of genital ulcers, erythema nodosum, and joint involvement were similar between both sexes. The prevalence of all ocular findings was higher in females except for retinal hemorrhages. The incidence of secondary cataract and glaucoma in addition to vitreous opacities was similar between both sexes. 13.7% of patients had GIT manifestations. Vascular complications were present in 128 (28.2%) patients. Aseptic meningitis and hemiplegia were only found in males. 1.7% of males and 3.2% of females suffered from brainstem involvement. Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis was present in females only. Acute phase reactants (ESR & CRP) were significantly higher in females (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The disease characteristics of BD patients with uveitis in Egypt might be different from the BD patients of other countries. The markers of inflammation were higher in females compared to males. The ocular manifestations were more common in females.