Electrocardiographic Repolarization Changes in Behçet’s Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background/Aims: To evaluate electrocardiographic (ECG) markers of ventricular repolarization in Behçet’s syndrome (BS) and to assess their association with clinical features, including major organ involvement and treatment characteristics.

Materials and Methods: A total of 72 patients with BS and 80 age- and sexmatched healthy controls were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, and all participants underwent a standard 12-lead ECG examination. Frontal QRS–T (fQRS–T) angle, Tp–e interval, and Tp–e/QTc ratio were measured. Clinical characteristics, including major organ involvement, disease activity, and treatment history, were recorded.

Results: Patients with BS had significantly longer Tp–e intervals (P = .010) and higher Tp–e/QTc ratios (P = .014) than controls, whereas the fQRS–T angle did not differ significantly (P = .097). Patients with abnormal ventricular repolarization parameters more frequently had major organ involvement and were more likely to receive immunosuppressive therapy. In multivariable analysis, vascular involvement (odds ratio (OR): 11.22, 95% CI: 2.89-44.10, P = .001) and ocular involvement (OR: 4.33, 95% CI: 1.27-14.72, P = .019) remained independently associated with abnormal ventricular repolarization parameters.

Conclusion: Patients with BS showed higher Tp–e interval and Tp–e/QTc ratio, suggesting altered ventricular repolarization, whereas fQRS–T angle was similar between groups. These alterations were more pronounced in patients with more severe disease features. Simple, noninvasive ECG markers may help identify subclinical repolarization changes and warrant further evaluation in larger, prospective studies.

Cite this article as: Tüzün Z, Aydın K, Varkal G, Akıllı RE, Türk İ. Electrocardiographic repolarization changes in Behçet’s syndrome: A cross-sectional study. Arch Rheumatol. Published online July 09, 2026. doi: 10.5152/ArchRheumatol.2026.26424.