Behçet's disease and pregnancy relationship study

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Immunology

Background:

• The impact of pregnancy on Behçet's disease (BD) and vice versa is not well-documented.
• Limited research exists on pregnancy outcomes for women with BD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of BD on pregnancy and fetal outcomes.
• To examine the influence of gestation on the course of BD.
• To compare pregnancy outcomes in women with BD, recurrent oral ulcers (ROU), and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study involving three groups: women with BD (n=23), women with ROU (n=30), and healthy women (n=20).
• Data collected via questionnaire regarding pregnancy, labor, and puerperium, with medical record confirmation for pathologies.
• Analysis focused on pregnancy complications, perinatal death, congenital abnormalities, neonatal BD, and disease flares.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in pregnancy complications or perinatal death rates were found between the groups.
• No congenital abnormalities or neonatal BD were observed.
• Pregnancy outcomes in BD patients were generally favorable, with disease manifestations not consistently worsening and excellent fetal outcomes. Two BD patients experienced disease flares, and two were diagnosed during pregnancy. The first reported case of Budd-Chiari syndrome during the puerperium in a BD patient is presented.

Conclusions:

• Pregnancy in women with Behçet's disease typically results in good outcomes for both mother and fetus.
• Gestational course does not consistently exacerbate BD manifestations.
• Further research is warranted, particularly regarding rare complications like puerperal Budd-Chiari syndrome in BD patients.