The association of amyloidosis with Behçet9s disease has infrequently been reported in published works. Twenty four such cases have been observed in the world, of which 12 are from Turkey, including eight of ours. In all our eight cases renal biopsy showed amyloidosis of type AA. Behçet9s disease of male preponderance, long duration, complete type, multiple organ involvement, and positive skin pathergy test were the main characteristics of all 24 cases of Behçet9s disease with amyloidosis. We conclude that amyloidosis associated with Behçet9s disease is a secondary AA amyloidosis occurring as an intrinsic manifestation of Behçet9s disease.
OBJECTIVE--To compare the specificity and sensitivity of the skin pathergy test performed with blunt and sharp needles in patients with Behçet9s disease. METHODS--The skin pathergy test was performed using the simultaneous four needle prick method with blunt and sharp, thick and thin needles in 92 patients with Behçet9s disease, 64 healthy controls, and 128 patients without Behçet9s disease. The test was evaluated at 48 hours. RESULTS--No positive skin pathergy test was found in healthy controls and patients without Behçet9s disease. The frequency and intensity of the positive skin pathergy test with blunt needles were significantly higher than those with sharp needles. CONCLUSION--This study reconfirmed the specificity of a positive skin pathergy test for Behçet9s disease using blunt and sharp needles and showed a decreased sensitivity and intensity of the reaction with sharp needles.
Abstract Comparative roentgenologic and clinical studies of 97 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 98 with rheumatoid arthritis revealed marked differences between the two. Among the features showing the greatest differences were the frequency and degree of involvement of individual joints, sacroiliac damage, abnormalities of apophyseal joints, paravertebral calcification, abnormalities in the shape of vertebral bodies, and pelvic periostitis and osteitis.
