Evalution of Renal Involvement in Patients with Behçet Disease: Need to be Aware About Potential Hypertension in Long Term Follow Up?

BACKROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate frequency and severity of kidney involvement with some clinical, ultrasonography and color Doppler measurements in patients with Behçet disease. MATERIAL/METHODS This study was including 32 patients with Behçet disease and 32 healthy sex and age-matched control subjects. Patients were divided into two groups as period of disease 0-6 years and 7 years and above to evaluate effect of duration of disease. We evaluated some biochemical tests in both blood and urine related to renal functions, blood pressure values. Gray scale and color Doppler findings were noted. RESULTS Renal artery volume flow in patients with a duration of 7 years or above was significantly decreased compared to control group (p<0.05). However, gray scale ultrasound and color Doppler measurements reveal there was not statistically significant change compared to control group. There was no biochemical abnormalities in any patient. Four patients had elevated blood pressure but mean blood pressure values were not statistically different compared to volunteers. CONCLUSIONS Renal involvement ratios varies in different studies but not common. End stage renal failure can be seen very rare. Furthermore, vasculitic changes can lead renal artery narrowness and can result to decrease in renal blood flow. It has a potential to activate renin angiotensin aldosterone cascade to elevate blood pressure. We must be aware about blood pressure of patients with Behçet disease, especially with long term follow up.