[Behçet's disease: recent findings. Review of the literature]

In this work the author reviews the clinical literature and the pathogenetic hypotheses, with particular attention to the correlations of the HLA, for Behçet disease. Behçet's syndrome is a multisystem disorder presenting with recurrent oral and/or genital ulcerations, chronic relapsing uveitis that may cause blindness, and neurologic impairments. Although it has a worldwide distribution, the Behçet's disease is rare in the Americas and Europe and is more prevalent in Turkey and the Middle and Far East. It affects mainly young adults, with men having more severe disease than women. Behçet syndrome is often diagnosed in late age for the lack of a correct diagnostic protocol and for the different symptoms that can be present. The need to follow the criteria made by the International Group of study on the disease of Behçet is underlined.