Increased plasma lipoprotein (a) concentrations in Behcet's disease and its relation to vascular events.

Behcet's disease, which is characterised by oral and genital ulcerations and eye inflammation, was discovered by Hulusi Behcet in 1937. Other features include arthritis, thrombophlebitis, neurological abnormalities, and skin lesions. Increased incidence of vascular manifestations has been reported in patients with Behcet's disease and may constitute one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in those patients.1 The disease is characterised by a relapsing inflammatory process of unknown aetiology. Lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) is a cholesterol rich plasma lipoprotein that has emerged as an important risk factor for development of coronary artery disease and stroke. Lp(a) could contribute to lipid deposition on arterial walls. Moreover, the recent finding that apo(a) is analogous to plasminogen suggests the possibility that Lp(a) could be the link between thrombosis and atherosclerosis.2 3 The aim of this study was to measure the plasma concentrations of Lp(a) in patients with Behcet's disease and to find relationships between Lp(a) concentrations and clinical findings including disease activity, ocular involvement, articular symptoms, skin lesions, neurologic involvement, and …