Gastrointestinal involvement in pediatric Behçet’s disease: a na tional multicenter study from Türkiye
33rd European Paediatric Rheumatology Congress, Belgrade, Sırbistan, 16 - 19 Eylül 2026, ss.33, (Özet Bildiri)
- Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
- Basıldığı Şehir: Belgrade
- Basıldığı Ülke: Sırbistan
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.33
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Kocaeli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Pediatric Behçet’s disease (BD) is a chronic systemic vasculitis that can affect arteries and veins of all sizes and involve different organ systems with varying severity. Objectives This multicenter study conducted in Türkiye aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of pediatric BD patients with gastrointestinal (GI) involvement. Methods The study included pediatric BD under 18 years of age from various centers who met the ICBD or PEDBD criteria, had endoscopically/colo noscopically confirmed GI involvement, and were followed for at least 6 months. Results Twenty-eight pediatric BD patients with GI involvement (6.5%) were included among 428 patients followed across 11 centers. Fourteen of the patients (50%) were male. GI involvement was present at diagnosis in 12 patients (42.9%) and developed during follow-up in 16 patients (57.1%). At diagnosis, 26 patients (92.9%) had oral aphthae, 14 (50%) had genital ulcers, 17 (60.7%) had cutaneous involvement, 5 (17.9%) had ocular involvement, and 5 (17.9%) had neurological involve ment. Pathergy test positivity was detected in 10 patients (35.7%). In 17 (60.7%) patients HLA-B51 was positive. The most common GI symptoms were abdominal pain in 26 patients (92.9%), diarrhea in 22 (78.6%), hematochezia in 5 (17.9%), reflux in 4 (14.3%), and constipa tion in 2 (7.1%). The course of GI involvement was monophasic in 10 patients (35.7%), recurrent in 14 (50%), and chronically persistent in 4 (14.3%). Acute abdomen was observed in 5 patients (17.9%); however, no perforation occurred, and no surgical intervention. Endoscopic eval uation revealed antral gastritis in 6 patients (21.4%) and pangastritis in 5 (17.9%). Ulcers were detected in 5 patients (17.9%), and 3 of them (60%) had multiple ulcers localized to the antrum. Colonoscopy dem onstrated ileal inflammation in 8 patients (40%) and colonic inflamma tion in 7 (35%). Colonic ulcers were detected in 15 patients (53.6%), amongthese patients, 12 (80%) had multiple ulcers. The ileum was the most frequently involved site, affecting 16 patients (57.1%), followed by the stomach in 15 (53.6%), colon in 13 (46.4%), ileocecal region and rectum in 8 each (28.6%), and esophagus in 5 (17.9%). Following the diagnosis of GI involvement, corticosteroid treatment was initiated in 20 patients (71.4%). Azathioprine was added in 20 patients (71.4%), methotrexate in 2 (7.1%), mesalazine in 6 (21.4%), adalimumab in 8 (28.6%), and infliximab in 3 (10.7%). During follow-up, remission was achieved in 22 patients (75%). Conclusion GI involvement was identified in 6.6% of pediatric BD patients. GI in volvement was observed during followup in 57.1% of patients, high lighting the importance of monitoring GI symptoms throughout the disease course. Remission was achieved in 75% of patients, although a substantial proportion required biologic therapy, emphasizing the need for early treatment escalation. Disclosure of interest None declared.