Ruken YÜKSEKKAYA, 1 Fatih ÇELİKYAY, 1 Fatih KOÇ, 2 Çağlar DENİZ, 1 Erkan GÖKÇE, 1 Mehmet Murat FIRAT, 1 Jale YÜKSEK3

1Department of Radiology, Medical Faculty of Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, Turkey
2Department of Cardiology, Medical Faculty of Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, Turkey
3Department of Dermatology, Medical Faculty of Gaziosmanpaşa University, Tokat, Turkey

Keywords: Behçet's disease; Doppler ultrasonography; flowmediated dilatation

Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the early development of atherosclerosis in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) using flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) method under Doppler ultrasonography (US).

Patients and methods: Thirty patients with BD and 25 healthy volunteers were included. Doppler US was used to measure the basal and post-reactive hyperemic diameters, peak systolic velocities, resistivity indices, and blood flow volumes of the brachial arteries. Flowmediated dilatation was defined as the percentage of difference between the post-reactive hyperemic and basal diameters.

Results: The mean FMD value of the BD group (10.8±12.7%) was significantly lower compared to the control group (26±18.6%). No statistically significant difference in other parameters was found between the groups.

Conclusion: Flow-mediated dilatation under Doppler US is simple and effective non-invasive method for predicting the early development of atherosclerosis in patients with BD.