Rheumatic diseases in the elderly. Finding a way through the maze.
The manifestations of rheumatic disease in the elderly present a confusing array of diagnoses to the primary care physician. Helpful guidelines in pursuing a definitive diagnosis are outlined, with special mention of three rheumatic conditions (pseudogout, polymyalgia rheumatica, and temporal arteritis) which are uniquely characteristic of elderly patients.
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002805:Chondrocalcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006046:Gold / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008487:Medical History Taking; D009985:Orthopedics; D010808:Physical Examination; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000175:diagnosis; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery
D006046:Gold; D001241:Aspirin