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Cardiac involvement in Behçet's disease
S Morelli1, C Perrone, L Ferrante
1Istituto di Clinica Medica I, Università La Sapienza, Roma, Italia.
Insights
Behçet's disease patients show a high prevalence of cardiac abnormalities, including mitral valve prolapse and aorta dilatation. The study found a strong association between cardiac issues in Behçet's disease and HLA-B51 positivity.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Behçet's disease is a rare multisystem inflammatory disorder.
- Cardiac involvement in Behçet's disease can lead to significant morbidity and mortality.
- The prevalence and etiological factors of cardiac manifestations in Behçet's disease require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of cardiac abnormalities in Behçet's disease patients.
- To identify potential predisposing factors for cardiac involvement in Behçet's disease.
- To compare cardiac findings and autoantibody profiles between patients and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiographic evaluation (M-mode, 2D, Doppler) was performed on 30 Behçet's disease patients and 30 controls.
- Antinuclear and anticardiolipin autoantibodies were measured.
- HLA-B51 positivity was assessed in patients and historical controls.
Main Results:
- Mitral valve prolapse (50%) and proximal aorta dilatation (30%) were significantly more common in Behçet's patients than controls.
- Left ventricular function parameters were comparable between groups.
- Antinuclear and anticardiolipin autoantibody positivity was low and similar in both groups (7%).
- HLA-B51 positivity was significantly higher in Behçet's patients (82.7%) compared to controls (21.7%).
Conclusions:
- Behçet's disease is associated with a high rate of cardiac abnormalities.
- Cardiac involvement in Behçet's disease may be linked to HLA-B51 positivity.
- Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying cardiac manifestations in Behçet's disease.
Abstract:
To assess the prevalence and the extent of cardiac involvement in patients with Behçet's disease and to investigate the possible causes that may predispose to this involvement, 30 patients affected by Behçet's disease and 30 normal control subjects were submitted to M-mode, two-dimensional, and Doppler echocardiographic evaluation. Moreover, antinuclear and anticardiolipin autoantibodies were determined in the sera of both patients and control subjects. Finally, HLA-B51 positivity was assessed in the patients and in a historical control group. Mitral valve prolapse was observed in 50% and proximal aorta dilatation in 30% of the patients. There was a significant difference in the rate of these abnormalities in comparison with the control group. Left ventricular function parameters were similar between the two groups. The positivity rate of antinuclear and anticardiolipin autoantibodies was very low (7%), without differences between the groups. HLA-B51 was detected in 82.7% of the patients versus 21.7% in the control group (p < 0.00001). In conclusion, this study demonstrates a high rate of cardiac abnormalities in patients with Behçet's disease.