Behçet Uveitis in the American Midwest

Purpose: Behçet disease is most common in Asia, the Middle East and North Africa (Silk Road). We compare clinical presentation and course of Behçet uveitis in patients of Silk Road and non‐Silk Road descent. Methods: Retrospective review of patients evaluated at the University of Illinois January 1983 ‐ Ju ly 2010. Results: Of 6134 new uveitis patients, 36 with available medical records met diagnostic criteria for Behçet disease. 10 (28%) were of Silk Road origin. Retinal vasculitis was the most common ocular manifestation, followed by panuveitis and retinitis. Ocular and systemic manifestations were similar between groups. 78% were treated with s ystemic immunosuppression, which reduced inflammatory attack rate. Conclusions: Behçet disease is uncommon in the Midwest United States. Three quarters of patients in this series were not of Silk Road descent. Physicians should consider the diagnosis of Behçet disease in any patient with retinal vasculitis or uveitis regardless of ethnicity.