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Autonomic nervous system involvement in Behçet's disease: a pupillometric study
H Bayramlar1, I F Hepŝen, M Uğuralp
1Department of Ophthalmology, Inönü University School of Medicine, Malatya, Turkey.
Summary
Pupillometric tests reveal autonomic nervous system dysfunction in Behçet's disease patients. This iris autonomic dysfunction may stem from the vasculitic nature of the disease.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Neurology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Behçet's disease is a multisystem vasculitic disorder.
- Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction is increasingly recognized in Behçet's disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential autonomic nervous system dysfunction in Behçet's disease patients using pupillometric tests.
- To assess iris autonomic nerve function in individuals with Behçet's disease.
Main Methods:
- Employed four pupillometric techniques: pupil cycle time (PCT), dark-adapted pupil size (DAPS), and sensitivity to pilocarpine and phenylephrine.
- Compared results from 31 Behçet's disease patients with 41 age- and sex-matched healthy controls.
Main Results:
- Significant differences were observed in all four pupillometric tests between Behçet's disease patients and controls.
- Behçet's patients exhibited prolonged PCT and smaller DAPS compared to controls.
- Iris sensitivity to pilocarpine and phenylephrine was significantly altered in Behçet's patients.
Conclusions:
- The findings indicate autonomic nervous system dysfunction affecting the iris in Behçet's disease.
- This pupillary autonomic dysfunction is likely linked to the underlying vasculitic process characteristic of Behçet's disease.