Association of ABO/Rh blood groups with clinical features in Behçet’s disease – a retrospective study

Abstract

Introduction/Objective Behçet’s disease is a chronic multisystem inflammatory disorder with heterogeneous manifestations. Identifying associated factors may improve understanding of pathogenesis and support individualized management. This study aimed to evaluate the association between ABO blood groups, Rh factor, and clinical and laboratory features of Behçet’s disease.

Methods This retrospective study included 160 patients with Behçet’s disease followed at the Rheumatology Department of Fırat University Hospital between January 2010 and May 2025. Demographic data and laboratory parameters, including hematological, biochemical, and inflammatory markers, were retrieved from electronic medical records. Patients were grouped as blood group O or non-O and as Rh-positive or Rh-negative, and comparative analyses were performed to evaluate differences in clinical and laboratory findings.

Results Of the 160 patients, 140 were Rh-positive and 20 Rh-negative. Age and most laboratory parameters were similar between Rh groups, except for higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate values in Rh-positive patients (p = 0.043). Compared with blood group O patients (n = 50), non-O patients (n = 110) had higher white blood cell counts (p = 0.008), neutrophil counts (p = 0.010), and alanine aminotransferase levels (p = 0.009), while hemoglobin levels were lower in group O patients (p = 0.048). Clinical manifestations were largely comparable; however, articular involvement was more frequent in Rh-negative than in Rh-positive patients (50% vs. 27.1%, p = 0.037).

Conclusion ABO blood groups and Rh factor were not associated with most clinical or laboratory features of Behçet’s disease. Increased articular involvement in Rh-negative patients suggests a potential association warranting further investigation.

Keywords: Behçet disease; blood group; Rh factor; arthritis