O’Duffy, J. Desmond

This review of 30 cases of Behçet's disease seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1965 and 1975 describes the multisystem nature of the disease and emphasizes its upper aerodigestive tract manifestations. The major clinical features include aphthous ulceration of the upper aerodigestive tract and genitalia, ocular inflammation, cutaneous vasculitis, and synovitis; less frequent features are meningoencephalitis and thrombophlebitis. There are no specific laboratory abnormalities, and corticosteroids remain the mainstay of therapy.

ABSTRACT To illustrate the diagnostic problems of rheumatic disease in patients over 60 years of age, 4 cases are presented: 1) osteoarthritis, 2) late‐onset rheumatoid arthritis, 3) polymyalgia rheumatica, and 4) pseudogout with crystalline synovitis. In each case the correct diagnosis should have been suspected from the history and physical examination alone, with the laboratory and x‐ray findings providing supportive evidence.