Presence of low lipid levels in patients with Behcet’ s disease as a protector against atherosclerosis

K. Kayatas, C. Karatoprak, F. Cebeci, A. Dayan, S. Ozkan, S.M. Pehlevan, I. Kartal, R. Demirtunc

Department of Internal Medicine Haydarpasa Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. ckaratoprak@hotmail.com

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• Rheumatology

BACKGROUND: A relapsing systemic inflammatory process is a well-known feature of Behcet’s disease. Because systemic inflammation and dyslipidemia are involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, Behcet’s disease may play a part in the development of atherosclerosis. Lipid profile in Behcet’s disease and the development of atherosclerosis remain to be controversial. In order to learn more about this relationship, our study compared blood lipid levels in healthy controls to those in patients with Behcet’s disease during both their active and inactive stages.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between December 2010 and March 2012, this prospective, observational study was designed to evaluate three groups The study included 91 Behcet’s patients (36 in active and 55 in inactive period) and 61 healthy control subjects matched for age, gender, and body mass index. Data from lipid profiles included total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein. Acute phase reactants were also recorded, including high sensitive C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate levels.

RESULTS: Total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels of patients in active stage were significantly lower than those in inactive stage, while total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels were lower in the control group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with Behcet’s disease in the active period may be less susceptible to atherogenic events as compared with the controls and those in the inactive period of the disease.

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