Retinal vascular occlusions in ocular Behçet disease - a comparative analysis.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Rheumatology
• Vascular Medicine

Background:

• Behçet disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disorder with limited literature on its ocular vascular complications.
• Retinal vascular occlusions (RVOs) are a significant but understudied manifestation in ocular BD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and risk factors of RVOs in patients with ocular Behçet disease.
• To compare clinical features, treatments, and outcomes between BD patients with and without RVOs.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective, multicentre case-control study involving 175 patients with ocular BD from 13 hospitals.
• Patients were categorized into groups based on the presence or absence of RVOs.
• Epidemiological, systemic, ocular, treatment, and outcome data were analyzed to identify risk factors for RVOs.

Main Results:

• RVOs were identified in 30.9% of ocular BD patients, with branch retinal vein occlusion being the most common type.
• Male sex and Jewish ethnicity were identified as significant risk factors for RVOs.
• Patients with RVOs experienced worse visual acuity and a higher incidence of ocular complications and surgeries.

Conclusions:

• Retinal vascular occlusions are a prevalent complication in ocular Behçet disease, affecting approximately one-third of patients.
• Male sex and Jewish ethnicity are identified as key risk factors for RVOs in this population.
• Ocular BD patients with RVOs have a poorer prognosis, underscoring the importance of early detection and management.