About this Book

The conference on which this book is based was hosted in Paris, following on from the Mayo Clinic. Behcet's disease remains mysterious, despite the increasing interest of researchers, reflected in the 200 communications selected for this publication. Numerous previously held beliefs about the disease are disputed or contradicted, following on from the conference. For example, the disease was previously described as a disease limited to the Mediterranean basin, whereas it is in fact omnipresent, as is demonstrated by papers from more than 20 countries across the globe. Described as being seven times more likely to affect men, in fact the disease afflicts women more often in epidemiological surveys and takes a more minor form. Behcet's disease can begin in childhood, even through it was believed to be a disease of young adults. In spite of the absence of biologic or histologic markers, Behcet's disease has international classification criteria. Despite the absence of etiologic treatment, a few drugs are recognized as effective. Further measures must be undertaken to enable us to find other products which can take their place in the therapeutic strategy of the disease. care for patients who are afflicted with this rare disease.