TUMS Professor Re-elected to International Society for Behçet’s Disease Executive Committee

Professor Farhad Shahram, Professor at the Rheumatology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), has been re-elected for a fourth term as Iran's representative on the Executive Committee of the International Society for Behçet’s Disease (ISBD). The election took place during the 21st International Congress on Behçet’s Disease, held in Istanbul, Türkiye, from 25–27 June 2026.

During the congress, Professor Shahram also served as a member of the International Advisory Board and delivered an invited keynote lecture entitled "Behçet Disease Around the Globe," highlighting current perspectives on the epidemiology and clinical management of Behçet’s disease across different populations.

The scientific programme featured 178 research abstracts submitted by investigators from around the world, of which only 18 were selected for oral presentation. Among these was a study from the Rheumatology Research Center at TUMS entitled "Behçet Disease in Pediatric versus Adult Patients: Updates from the Iran BD Registry," presented by Professor Shahram. The study provides updated evidence from Iran's national Behçet's disease registry and contributes to a better understanding of age-related differences in disease presentation and outcomes.

On the sidelines of the congress, Professor Shahram paid tribute to the late Professor Hormoz Shams and Professor Sheida Shams, two distinguished Iranian scientists whose longstanding contributions have significantly advanced Behçet's disease research. In recognition of their scientific legacy, participants at the General Assembly of the International Society for Behçet’s Disease observed a minute of silence in their honour.

At the conclusion of the congress, Professor Shahram was re-elected to the Executive Committee of the International Society for Behçet’s Disease for a six-year term, marking his fourth consecutive appointment. His re-election reflects both his longstanding international leadership in the field and the continued scientific contribution of the Rheumatology Research Center at Tehran University of Medical Sciences to global research on Behçet’s disease.

Through sustained participation in international scientific networks and leadership in collaborative research, TUMS continues to strengthen its role in advancing knowledge and improving clinical care for rare and complex rheumatic diseases worldwide.