Pathergy refers to an erythematous papular or pustular response to local skin injury. It is defined as a pustule-like lesion or papule that appears 48 hours after skin prick by a 20-gauge needle. Pathergy is less common in North American and North European patients with Behçet syndrome (10 to 20 percent) than in patients from more endemic areas (50 to 75 percent) [32]. Dermographism is a response to light scratching of the skin that may be present in some patients [33]. A vascular pathergy-like response may be evident after vascular procedures, resulting in phlebitis or aneurysms [34,35]. Reference 32-35 is 1-4.
- Assar S, Sadeghi B, Davatchi F, et al. The association of pathergy reaction and active clinical presentations of Behçet's disease. Reumatologia 2017; 55:79.
- Dinç A, Karaayvaz M, Caliskaner AZ, et al. Dermographism and atopy in patients with Behçet's disease. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2000; 10:368.
- Lê Thi Huong D, Wechsler B, Papo T, et al. Arterial lesions in Behçet's disease. A study in 25 patients. J Rheumatol 1995; 22:2103.
- O'Duffy JD. Vasculitis in Behçet's disease. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 1990; 16:423.
