Optical cohorens tomography findings and measurement ofchoroidal vascularity index in behçet patients without eyeinvolvement

Purpose: The aim of this study is to measure the retinal findings, choroidal thickness and choroidal vascularity index (CVI), which is a new parameter, using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in Behçet's patients without eye involvement and to compare them with a healthy control group. Methods: Patients with Behçet's disease who were consulted by the department of Dermatology and Rheumatology of Aydın Adnan Menderes University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, and healthy patients from routine outpatient clinics were examinated in the study. Central macular thickness (CMT), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell complex (GCC), choroidal thickness (CT), CVI, cup/disc ratio and optic disc were analysed with OCT. These values were compared between those groups. Correlation of those values with disease duration was evaluated. Behçet's findings in the patients included in the study were examined. Correlation of these findings with CVI and CT was detected. Results: This study included 91 eyes of 48 patients with Behçet's disease without ocular involvement and 105 eyes of 53 patients in the healthy participants. Behçet's patients without eye involvement were compared with the control group; it is found that CC was increased in the patient group (p<0.001). Compared to the control group, the choroidal luminal area decreased, while the stromal area increased in the patient group (p<0.001, p<0.001). It was determined that CVI decreased significantly in the patient group compared to the healthy group (p<0.001). It was found that CMT was significantly thinner in the group of Behçet's patients without eye involvement compared to the healthy group (p=0.004). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of the RNFL thicknesses values. There was a significant decrease in the mean GCC thicknesses in the superior nasal, inferior temporal and superior temporal patients group (p=0.008, p=0.014, p=0.017, p=0.009). There was no significant difference between cupping/disc ratio, optic disc area and cupping area in terms of optic disc findings (p=0.420, p=0.168, p=0.391). Behçet's patients without eye involvement who is included in the study had %86 oral aphthae, 60% genital aphthae, 52% history of erythema nodosum-like skin eruptions. Pathergy test is positive in 34.1% of the them. 8.8% of the patients have a previous history of venous thrombosis. 54.9% of the patients describe a non-specific pain. 26,4% of the patients with Behçet's diasease had a family history. 78% of Behçet's patients without eye involvement receive colchicine treatment In patients who has a history with oral aphthae and venous thrombosis, CT was statistically found to be significantly higher (p=0.038, p=0.001). Although the CT was found to be increased with genital aphthae, pathergy test positivity, erythema nodosum-like skin rash, history of venous thrombosis and nonspecific pain, it was not statistically significant. Statistically a significant CT was found in the group receiving colchicine treatment and receiving colchicine + additional medication. Conclusion: Retinal and choroidal changes can be detected in the subclinical period with OCT in Behçet's patients without ocular involvement. CVI is an alternative non-invasive measurement for diagnosis, follow-up and prognosis estimation of Behçet's patients without eye involvement. A reduced CVI may suggest subclinical ocular involvement and choroidal ischemia in those patients. Larger studies are needed to answer the question whether these parameters can predict ocular involvement which has not yet been clinically observed.