Upper gastrointestinal abnormalities and Helicobacter pylori in Behçet's disease

• Published in: International Journal of Dermatology 2009-11, Vol.48 (11), p.1174-1176
• Main Authors: Çakmak, Seray Külcü, Çakmak, Atıl, Gül, Ülker, Sulaimanov, Marlen, Bingöl, Pelin, Hazinedaroğlu, M. Selçuk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Bacterial diseases; Bacterial diseases of the digestive system and abdomen; Behcet Syndrome - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Comorbidity; Dermatology; Endoscopy, Digestive System; Female; Gastritis - epidemiology; Gastritis - microbiology; Gastritis - pathology; Helicobacter Infections - epidemiology; Helicobacter Infections - pathology; Helicobacter pylori; Hernia, Hiatal - epidemiology; Hernia, Hiatal - pathology; Human bacterial diseases; Humans; Incidence; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Sarcoidosis. Granulomatous diseases of unproved etiology. Connective tissue diseases. Elastic tissue diseases. Vasculitis; Stomach Ulcer - epidemiology; Stomach Ulcer - microbiology; Stomach Ulcer - pathology; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0011-9059; 1365-4632
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-4632.2009.04145.x

Background  There are few published clinical trials concerning upper gastrointestinal (GI) involvement in Behçet's disease (BD), and most have been performed on patients with upper GI tract symptoms. Aim  We sought to determine whether routine endoscopy is indicated in asymptomatic patients with BD and whether Helicobacter pylori plays a role in the pathogenesis of BD. Methods  Forty consecutive patients with BD and 40 age‐ and gender‐matched controls with tinea pedis were studied. All patients underwent fiberoptic esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Urea breath test was used to identify H. pylori. Results  Abnormalities were noted in 37 patients (93%): hiatal hernia (53%), antral gastritis (33%), pan‐gastritis (23%), gastric ulceration (8%), and duodenal ulceration (8%). Helicobacter pylori was found in 26 patients (65%) with BD and in 28 controls (70%) (no significant difference by chi‐squared test, P > 0.05). We found a high incidence of upper GI abnormalities in BD, but the abnormalities were not specific for the disorder. Conclusions  Routine endoscopy and screening for H. pylori infection may not be necessary in asymptomatic patients with BD.