Sir,
Behcet's disease (BD) is a unique systemic vasculitis of unknown etiology, which may
affect both veins and arteries of different sizes and localization.[1] The exact etiology
of BD is unknown; both genetic and environmental factors are thought to play a role
in its pathogenesis. BD has been regarded as a Th1 type autoimmune disease, because
of the association with human leukocyte antigen-B51 and hyperreactivity against streptococcal
antigen.[2
3
4] BD usually presents with recurrent oral aphthae, genital ulcer, cutaneous manifestations,
and uveitis.[2
3
4
5
6] It can be accompanied by neurological, intestinal, urogenital, and cardiopulmonary
symptoms in addition to the above mentioned.[7] Erectile dysfunction may be expected
to occur during its course.
A 22-year-old nonsmoker, nondiabetic, and normotensive male patient presented to skin
outpatient department with chief complaints of recurrent oral ulcerations since he
was 12 years old; there were 2–3 episodes of oral ulcerations occurring over each
month in a year, associated with burning sensation, remaining there for 10–14 days
and healing without significant scarring. There was history of arthralgia in both
large and small peripheral joints for the last 8 years along with the history of failure
to achieve erection, low mood, and loss of interest in daily activities since 1 year.
The eye complaints in the form of redness, pain, and photophobia were present for
the last 3 months. There was no history of any genital ulceration, skin lesions, git
symptoms, neurological symptoms, or any other systemic complaints at the time of presentation.
There was no history of any drug intake excepting tablet paracetamol 650 mg occasionally
for joint pains. There was no history of any drug abuse.
Mucosal examination revealed multiple major aphthae along the lateral borders of the
tongue. Genital mucosa did not show any active lesion or scar from previous lesions.
Cutaneous examination did not reveal any significant skin lesion associated with the
disease. Ophthalmological examination revealed anterior uveitis in the right eye and
left eye showed some corneal opacities probably from some viral infection contracted
during past. Sexual function was assessed by means of Turkish version of International
Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) scoring system which revealed erectile dysfunction
in the patient. Neurological examination was normal. Hamilton Anxiety and Depression
Scale revealed that patient had moderate degree of depression and anxiety disorder.
Laboratory investigations revealed only raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (35
mm/1st h). Rest of the investigations such as complete blood count, serum glucose
levels, lipid profile, liver function test, renal function test, uric acid, venereal
disease research laboratory, antinuclear antibody, and rheumatoid factor were normal.
Endocrinological tests including free and total testosterone, oestradiol, prolactin,
cortisol, adrenocorticotrophic hormone, and gonadotropins were also normal. Viral
markers such as human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B surface antigen, and anti-hepatitis
C virus were nonreactive. Urine examination was normal. Mantoux test done with 5 units
of purified protein derivative was negative. Pathergy test was performed with a disposable
26-gauge needle prick (needle held for 90 s in the dermis) at the flexor aspect of
left forearm, approximately 2 inches below the elbow crease and read at 48 h to reveal
1 mm papule, which remained as papule over the next 24–48 h and disappeared completely
in next 3 weeks.
Radiological evaluation was normal and included penile color Doppler ultrasonography
to reveal any vascular abnormality as cause of erectile dysfunction in the patient,
X-ray of the chest and clinically involved joints, and computed tomography scan head
and spine.
Thus, a diagnosis of BD was made as per the International Study Group Classification
Criteria [Table 1] for the diagnosis of BD, associated with erectile dysfunction and
depression as depicted by IIEF scoring system and Hamilton Anxiety and Depression
Scale, respectively.
Table 1
International Study Group Classification Criteria (major criteria and minor criteria
required)
In the literature, we could find only a single study by Erdogru et al., investigating
the prevalence of erectile dysfunction with neurological involvement. They found erectile
dysfunction in 14 of 24 (63%) patients with neuro–Behcet's disease.[8]
Interestingly, Aksu et al. reported two cases of BD without neurological findings,
but with erectile dysfunction. The authors argued that erectile dysfunction of their
patients was most likely attributable to venous leak.[9]
Hiz et al. suggested that BD has a negative impact on men's psychological state and
sexual function and recommended that depression and sexual dysfunction be investigated
and treated while assessing patients with BD.[10] de Oliveira Ribeiro et al. in their
review article clearly showed that depression is a source of stress in BD patients'
lives, leading to changes in the activity cycles and remissions of the disease, increased
number of symptoms in patients, lower scores on memory tests and adaptation, lower
quality of life, and changes in the sexual lives of both female and male patients.[11]
Yetkin et al., in their study on 25 sexually active premenopausal female patients
with mucocutaneous BD, concluded that depression and female sexual dysfunction were
more common in patients with BD than in the healthy individuals.[12]
Our case of young male with BD had also depression and erectile dysfunction without
any significant drug history, neurological or local vascular involvement. Depression
is frequently associated with sexual dysfunction. It is also known that mood disorder
caused by chronic diseases can cause erectile dysfunction.
We concluded that erectile dysfunction in BD may be expected even in the absence of
neurological and vasculogenic cause. Depression should be kept in mind as a treatable
cause of erectile dysfunction in BD.
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Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.