Predictive factors for work-day loss in Behçet's syndrome: A multi-center study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this multi-center study was to assess predictive factors for work-day loss as an indirect cost element in Behçet's syndrome (BS). METHODS: In this cross-sectional, multi-center study, 834 BS patients (F/M: 441/393, age mean: 38.4 ± 10.9 years) were included. Data were collected by a questionnaire regarding treatment protocols, disease duration, smoking pattern, frequency of medical visits during the previous year and self-reported work-day loss during the previous year. RESULTS: Work-day loss was observed in 16.2% of patients (M/F: 103/32). The percentages of being a smoker (81.8%), using immunosuppressive (IS) medications (82%), and having disease duration <5 years (74%) were higher in male patients with work-day loss (P < .05). The majority of males (90.9%) had more than four clinic visits during the previous year. Moreover, the mean work-day loss (30.8 ± 57.7 days) was higher in patients with vascular involvement (56.1 ± 85.9) than those without (26.4 ± 50.6 days) (P = .046). In addition, increased frequency of ocular involvement (25.9%) was also observed in patients with work-day loss compared to others (8.6%) (P = .059). CONCLUSION: Work-day loss was associated with both vascular and ocular involvement. Close associations were observed among male gender, early period of the disease, frequent medical visits, being a smoker and treatment with IS medications in patients with work-day loss.

Oral ulcer activity assessment with the composite index according to different treatment modalities in Behçet's syndrome: a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this multicentre study was to understand patients' needs and to evaluate the oral ulcer activity with the Composite Index (CI), according to different treatment modalities in Behçet's syndrome (BS). METHODS: BS patients (n=834) from 12 centres participated in this cross-sectional study. Oral ulcer activity (active vs. inactive) and the CI (0: inactive vs. 1-10 points: active) were evaluated during the previous month. The effects of treatment protocols [non-immunosuppressive: non-IS vs. immunosuppressive: (ISs)], severity (mild vs. severe), disease duration (<5 years vs. ≥5 years) and smoking pattern (non-smoker vs. current smoker) were analysed for oral ulcer activity. RESULTS: Oral ulcer activity was observed in 65.1% of the group (n=543). In both genders, the activity was higher in mild disease course with non-IS treatment group compared to severe course with ISs (p<0.05). As a resistant group, patients with mild disease course whose mucocutaneous symptoms were unresponsive to non-IS medications were treated with ISs in a limited period and achieved the highest CI scores in females. Oral ulcer activity and poor CI score were associated with disease duration less than 5 years compared to others in male patients (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral ulcer activity pattern is affected by both the combination of disease course, treatment protocols and disease duration. CI scores reflected the oral clinical activity and CI might be a candidate scale to evaluate the efficacy of treatments during the follow-up of oral ulcer activity in BS.