%0 Journal Article
%T Behcet's Disease and Endocrine System
%A Onur Ozhan
%A Kerem Sezer
%J Pathology Research International
%D 2012
%I Hindawi Publishing Corporation
%R 10.1155/2012/827815
%X Behcet's disease (BD) is a chronic disease which is characterized by recurrent oral apthous ulcerations, recurrent genital ulcerations, skin eruptions, ocular involvements and other various systemic manifestations as well as systemic vasculitis. Endocrine involvement in BD regarding various systems can be seen. Hypophysis is one of the best and dense vascularized organs of the body, thus it is likely that it can be affected by BD. Not only anterior hypophysis functions, but posterior hypophysis functions as well can be affected. As BD is a disease of autoimmune process, it may be possible that adrenal insufficiency or alterations in the cortisol levels could be expected. Another concern is whether or not there is insulin resistance in patients with BD. The avaliable data suggests that there is an increased susceptibility to insulin resistance in patients with BD. 1. Introduction Behcet¡¯s disease (BD) is a chronic disease which is characterized by recurrent oral aphthous ulcerations, recurrent genital ulcerations, skin eruptions, ocular involvements, and other various systemic manifestations as well as systemic vasculitis [1]. Endocrine involvement in BD regarding various systems can be seen. Here with this paper we have tried to review the literature in terms of BD ¡°effects¡± on endocrine system. 2. Behcet¡¯s Disease and Hypophysis Hypophysis is one of the best and densest vascularized organs of the body, thus it is likely that it can be affected by BD [2]. There are several studies regarding this fact in the literature. In one of these studies, Akdeniz et al. had studied the baseline and stimulated thyroid functions in BD. They recruited 30 patients consisting of 17 males and 13 females and 30 control subjects to their study. Thyroid function tests baseline and TSH levels at the 20th and 60th minutes after the administration of TRH were evaluated. In conclusion they stated that thyroid functions were normal in patients with BD; however, TRH stimulation was found to be decreased [3]. In another study where thyroid functions were evaluated, Aksu et al., found that thyroid function tests were within normal range in patients with BD; however, they did not assess the TRH-stimulated TSH levels [4]. Posterior hypophysis functions can also be affected in patients with BD which can represent itself with diabetes insipudus. Even though this entity is a rare feature of BD, there are several case reports being reported in the literature. In one of these, Khiari et al. reported that a 47-year-old man presented with oral and genital ulcers, skin lesions, and
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/pri/2012/827815/