The pathergy test has a specificity of 95 percent to 100 percent, but the results are often negative in American and European patients
skin lesions (papulo-pustules, folliculitis, erythema nodosum, acne in post-adolescents not on corticosteroids)Despite the inclusive criteria set forth by the International Study Group, there are cases where not all the criteria can be met and therefore a diagnosis cannot readily be made. There is however a set of clinical findings that a physician can rely upon in making a tentative diagnosis of the disease; essentially Behçets disease does not always follow the International Study Group guidelines and so a high degree of suspicion for a patient who presents having any number of the following findings is necessary:
arthritis/arthralgia
cardio-vascular problems of an inflammatory origin
changes of personality, psychoses
deep vein thrombosis
epididymitis
extreme exhaustion - chronic fatigue
inflammatory problems in chest and lungs
mouth ulcers
nervous system symptoms
problems with hearing or balance
stomach or bowel inflammation
superficial thrombophlebitis
any other members of the family with a diagnosis of Behçets disease. Treatment
Current treatment is aimed at easing the symptoms, reducing inflammation, and controlling the immune system. The quality of the evidence for treating the oral ulcers associated with Behçets disease, however, is poor.High-dose corticosteroid therapy is often used for severe disease manifestations. Anti-TNF therapy such as infliximab has shown promise in treating the uveitis associated with the disease. Another Anti-TNF agent, etanercept, may be useful in people with mainly skin and mucosal symptoms.
Sodium picosulfate (INN, also known as sodium picosulphate) is a contact stimulant laxative used as a treatment for constipation or to prepare the large bowel before colonoscopy or surgery. It is sold under the trade names Sodipic Picofast, Laxoberal, Laxoberon,  Purg-Odan, Picolax, Guttalax, Namilax, Pico-Salax, PicoPrep, and Prepopik, among others. Effects
Orally administered sodium picosulfate is generally used for thorough evacuation of the bowel, usually for patients who are preparing to undergo a colonoscopy. It takes 12–24 hours to work, since it works in the colon.Abdominal cramps and diarrhea are normal effects of picosulfate and should be expected. The use of sodium picosulfate has also been associated with certain electrolyte disturbances, such as hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Patients are often required to drink large amounts of clear fluids, to compensate for dehydration and to reestablish normal electrolyte balance. Mechanism of action
Sodium picosulfate is a prodrug. It has no significant direct physiological effect on the intestine; however, it is metabolised by gut bacteria into the active compound 4,4-dihydroxydiphenyl-(2-pyridyl)methane (DPM, BHPM). This compound is a stimulant laxative and increases peristalsis in the gut.Sodium picosulfate is typically prescribed in a combined formulation with magnesium citrate, an osmotic laxative. This combination is a highly effective laxative, often prescribed to patients for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopies. == References ==