Study: No benefit from anticoagulant use in Beh?et’s disease

Patients with vascular manifestations of Behçet’s disease who received treatment with anticoagulants did not benefit from the therapy given in addition to immunosuppressant drugs, according to results from study of practices in Turkish rheumatology clinics.

A retrospective study of 936 patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) from 15 rheumatology clinics in Turkey was conducted. Mean disease duration was 7.9 years. Patients’ mean age was 37.6 years, and 589 of the patients were men. Demographic data collected included clinical characteristics of the disease and first vascular event, relapses, treatment protocols and data about complications.

Corticosteroids used for treatment included methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, infliximab or interferon-alpha.

Vascular Behçet’s disease (VBD) developed in 260 patients (27.7%) during follow-up, 86.2% of whom were men. Thrombophilic factors were evaluated in 88 patients (34.9%), and 34 patients (38.7%) had thrombophilic disorders. Vascular involvement was the presenting symptom at first diagnosis in 57.3% of patients, and 16.5% of patients were switched from other immunosuppressants to corticosteroids.

Anticoagulants were administered to 59.8% of patients with VBD for a median duration of 13 months. Minor hemorrhage was observed in seven of the patients taking anticoagulants (4.7%).

Vascular relapse occurred in 86 patients with VBD (32.9%), whereas 14 (16.3%) were actively taking only anticoagulants and 32.6% were untreated.

The duration of treatment was similar between those who relapsed and those who did not, but relapse was significantly lower in patients taking immunosuppressive agents (25.3% vs. 85.7%)  and significantly higher in the group taking anticoagulants alone (91.6% vs. 29.1%), according to the researchers. No significant relapse rate was seen between patients with and without thrombophilic factors.

The researchers concluded no additional benefits were observed with treatment of VBD with anticoagulants. – by Shirley Pulawski

Disclosure: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.

Source: www.healio.com