Behcet's disease with peripheral nervous system involvement successfully treated with golimumab: a case report and review of the literature

Rheumatol Int. 2021 Jan;41(1):197-203. doi: 10.1007/s00296-020-04650-0. Epub 2020 Jul 16.

Abstract

Nervous system involvement is a rare and serious complication of Behcet's disease (BD), and the peripheral type is rarer. This article aimed to describe a case of BD with the peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement and present a comprehensive literature review. One case of BD with PNS involvement was reported and related literature was retrospectively reviewed via PubMed/MEDLINE and Scopus database. The patient was resistant to traditional treatments, such as glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, but had rapid quiescence after using golimumab. Our literature review suggests that the involved peripheral nerves in BD were diverse, the most common were the tibial nerves and peroneal nerves, vasculitis might be the main cause, and prednisone was still the cornerstone of treatment. TNF-α inhibitors have been increasingly used for refractory BD in recent years. This well-illustrated case demonstrates the potential benefit of golimumab to the patient with PNS involvement. Given the diversity and complexity of PNS involvement, we recommend golimumab as a new trial treatment in clinical practice.

Keywords: Behcet’s disease; Golimumab; Peripheral nervous system involvement; Prednisone.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Behcet Syndrome / complications
  • Behcet Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Behcet Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors
  • golimumab