Research on Behcet disease described by scientists at University of Sao Paulo
2007 OCT 23 -- According to recent research published in the journal Clinical Rheumatology, "'The Behcet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF) is a clinical instrument used to assess the activity of Behcet's disease (BD), which was originally developed in English. The aim of the present study was to perform a cross-cultural adaptation of the BDCAF to Brazilian Portuguese language and to evaluate its reliability in a population of Brazilian patients with BD." "Brazilian Portuguese version of the BDCAF, named BR-BDCAF, was obtained according to established guidelines. Forty Brazilian patients with BD diagnosed according to the International Study Group for Behcet's Disease criteria were assessed by two rheumatologists in independent sessions and submitted to the BR-BDCAF. Inter- and intraobserver agreement were then evaluated by kappa scores (values higher than 0.6 indicated good agreement). Good inter- and intraobserver agreements were achieved for the most common manifestations of BD: kappa scores higher than 0.6 were obtained for oral and genital ulcerations, skin lesions, and articular and general complaints. Moderate interobserver agreement was obtained for ocular activity (kappa 0.483) and fair interobserver agreement was obtained for gastrointestinal (kappa 0.322), major vessel (kappa 0.281), and central nervous system activity (kappa 0.304)," wrote F.S. Neves and colleagues, University of Sao Paulo. The researchers concluded: "BR-BDCAF was found to be a reliable instrument for the classic mucocutaneous and articular manifestations of BD and for general complaints, but complementary assessment is needed to evaluate specific visceral involvement for disease activity." Neves and colleagues published their study in Clinical Rheumatology (Cross-cultural adaptation of the Behcet's disease current activity form (BDCAF) to Brazilian Portuguese language. Clinical Rheumatology, 2007;26(8):1263-1267). For additional information, contact F.S. Neves, University of Sao Paulo, Faculty Medical, Division Rheumatol, Av Dr. Arnaldo 455, 3o Andar, Sala 3133, BR-01246903 Sao Paulo, Brazil. The publisher's contact information for the journal Clinical Rheumatology is: Springer, 233 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013, USA. Keywords: Brazil, Sao Paulo, Behcet Disease, Behcet Syndrome, Rheumatology, University of Sao Paulo. This article was prepared by Life Science Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Life Science Weekly via NewsRx.com.
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