Behçet’s Disease: An Integrated Approach

Behçet’s disease is characterized by mucocutaneous symptoms, which are crucial for diagnosing the condition. However, the clinical spectrum of this multisystem inflammatory disease varies significantly, requiring tailored treatment strategies that consider the specific manifestations, their severity, and frequency. This complete, handy guide built by experienced experts offers detailed explanation of controversies and specifics of the diagnosis process, ensuring any clinician reading this book has the capacity to diagnose a patient with Behçet’s disease. All dermatology sections and subsections cover classic and rare disease manifestations with a unique set of high quality colour pictures. The treatment sections provide separate chapters for topical and systemic treatment of mucocutaneous and systemic findings. The treatment chapters for the algorithmic approach and treatment of special groups (pregnant, lactation) will help professionals from different disciplines to assess, consult, treat and follow up patient. Dermatologists, rheumatologists, ophthalmologists, and other specialists dealing with the disease encounter patients with various phenotypes of Behçet’s disease, each bringing a unique perspective on its clinical presentation, pathogenesis, and treatment. “Behçet’s Disease: An Integrated Approach” carefully integrates these expert viewpoints, creating a comprehensive guide for clinicians across multiple disciplines.

1. Hulusi Behçet; highlights from his personal and professional life.- 2. Historical aspects and description of Behçet’s disease.- 3. Behçet’s disease epidemiology and geographical variations.- 4. What do the genetic studies tell us about Behçet disease?.- 5. How Behçet's disease occurs: disease mechanisms.- 6. Microbiota; does it have a role in the development and severity of the disease?.- 7. Mucocutaneous manifestations and differential diagnosis in Behçet’s disease.- 8. Specificity of papulopustular lesions in the diagnosis of Behçet’s disease.- 9. Skin pathergy test; how important is it for Behcet’s disease?.- 10. Topical treatment approaches of mucocutaneous Behçet's disease.- 11. Systemic treatments for mucocutaneous Behçet’s disease.- 12. Algorithmic approach to the treatment of Behçet’s disease.- 13. Eye disease in Behçet’s disease.- 14. Musculoskeletal manifestations in Behçet’s syndrome.- 15. Clinical features and diagnostic tools in vascular and cardiac involvement of Behçet’s disease.- 16. Management of cardiovascular involvement in Behçet’s disease.- 17. Surgical approach in cardiovascular involvement of Behçet's disease.- 18. Behçet's disease and nervous system involvement.- 19. Gastrointestinal manifestations in Behçet's disease.- 20. How should we diagnose Behçet’s disease?.- 21. Pathology of skin manifestations in Behçet disease.- 22. Activity scales used in Behçet’s disease.- 23. Quality of life and scales used in Behçet's disease.- 24. Clinical features and differential diagnosis in pediatric Behçet’s disease.- 25. Treatment and prognosis of pediatric Behçet’s disease.- 26. Treatment algorithms in patients with Behçet's disease during pregnancy and lactation.- 27. Prognosis in Behçet's disease: What to expect?.- 28. Future directions of Behcet’s disease.

Erkan Alpsoy, professor of dermatology who has extensive experience and academic interest in various skin disorders such as Behçet’s disease, psoriasis, hidradenitis suppurativa, atopic dermatitis, and Fabry disease. He is a member of several international societies such as the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology and the European Society for Dermatologic Research. Alpsoy was included in the "World's Most Influential Scientists" list compiled by Stanford University in 2024 and published by Plos Biology. He has published many articles on Behçet’s disease and has contributed to various studies, including a randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind study on interferon alpha-2a in the treatment of Behçet disease.

Ayse Boyvat is a highly experienced professor of dermatology with a particular focus on Behçet's disease, which has led to her lecturing extensively on national and international events. In addition to Behçet's disease, her academic interests include vasculitis, contact dermatitis, and atopic dermatitis. Ayse Boyvat is running one of the largest Behçet’s disease centers in Turkey in Ankara University. She is a member of EULAR MHC-I-opathy group focusing on Behçet’s disease, psoriasis and ankylosing spondyloarthropathy.

Tülin Ergün is a qualified dermatology professor and a researcher experienced in Behçet’s disease. She has academic interests in psoriasis, connective tissue disorders, Behçet’s Disease, Hidradenitis suppurativa, and research ethics. Ergün has several selected publications on Behçet’s disease, including studies on the histopathology of the spontaneous pustules, the efficacy of topical cyclosporine-A, the anti-inflammatory and regulatory effects of Thalidomide, and the effects of azithromycin on intracellular cytokine responses and mucocutaneous manifestations. Additionally, her recent studies focus on the venous vessel wall thickness in lower extremity and the efficacy of TNFa inhibitors for refractory vascular Behçet's disease.