Behcet?s disease in Saudi Arabia: Determinant of health, predictors, clinical presentations and treatment outcomes at a tertiary care hospital

Abstract

Author(s): Mushabab Alghamdi

Background: Behcet's Disease (BD) is a chronic multisystemic inflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent oral and genital ulcers, ocular inflammation, and skin lesions. BD predominantly affects populations, including the Middle East, Mediterranean basin, and East Asia, with variable prevalence rates reported across different regions.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, and treatment outcomes of patients with BD at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia, identifying key determinants of health and outcome predictors.

Methods: A total of 41 patients diagnosed with BD were retrospectively analysed. Data on demographics, disease duration, family history, comorbidities, clinical manifestations, and treatment outcomes were collected. Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of care outcomes.

Results: The average age of the cohort was 36.75 years, with a slight male predominance (56.10%). Age and disease duration emerged as significant predictors of adverse care outcomes. Having a family history of BD (p-value 0.002), diabetes mellitus (p-value 0.041), and hypertension (p-value 0.035) show statistical significance and may be important factors in the improvement of care outcomes. Age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.00-1.06, p-value 0.05) and family history of BD (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.32-5.33, p-value 0.01) are significant predictors of management outcome.

Conclusion: This study reveals key insights into the characteristics, presentations, and outcomes of Behçet's Disease (BD) patients at a Saudi Arabian hospital. The findings indicated the importance of comprehensive assessment and management strategies to address BD's clinical and familial aspects. Further research can explore additional determinants and interventions to improve BD patient care outcomes.

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