[Systemic Adamantiades-Behçet's disease: adverse effects of an otherwise successful therapy with interferon-α-2a].

Background: Adamantiades-Behçet's disease is an immune-mediated vasculitis with relapsing course. It is characterised by the classic clinical trias of oral aphthous ulcers, genital ulcers and uveitis.

History And Findings: A 37-year-old woman suffered from systemic Adamantiades-Behçet disease with recurrent uveitis, oral ulcers, genital ulcers, arthralgia, erythema nodosum and folliculitis.

Course And Treatment: Longterm interferon-α-2a (IFNα-2a) led to reduction of the clinical manifestations except for occasional occurrence of oral ulcers. One year after initiation of treatment however, the patient developed symptomatic hyperprolactinemia of unknown etiology.

Conclusion: Even in otherwise successful treatment with IFNα-2a possible side effects and complications of treatment can affect the course. Mastodynia and hyperprolactinemia have not yet been described as potential side effects of IFNα-2a.