Study of Endothelial function in Behcet s Disease Patients

Background: Behcet s disease (BD) is a multisystem vasculitis characterized by common vascular involvement and impaired endothelial function (EF) that is commonly treated by corticosteroids . Little data is known about the effect of disease activity , presence or absence of vascular involvement on EF in these patients. Methods: In this cross sectional study 30 BD patients on corticosteroid therapy who fulfill the critena of the International study group of Behcet disease were included , patients were classified according to disease activity into active BD and inactive BD . Ultrasound Doppler measurement of brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and nitrate mediated dilatation (NMD) were done to assess EF oj all study participants. Results: Active BD patients mean FMD and NMD were 9.8± 7.5% and 14.9±7.7% respectively while inactive BD patients mean FMD and NMD were 10.6± 7.7% and 18.6±7.3% respectively but that differences were not statistically significant. BD patients without vascular involvement mtnn FMD and NMD were 10.8±8.4% and 16.6±7.1% respectively while BD patients with vascular involvement mean FMD and NMD were 9.3±5.7% and 17.8±8.8% respectively and again that differences were not statistically significant. Conclusion: In the studied group of corticosteroid treated BD patients, FMD and NMD did not appear to be affected by disease activity, or presence of vascular involvement.