[Arthritides in the elderly].
The arthritides of the elderly comprise a fairly heterogeneous group of diseases. They include conditions that affect exclusively or predominantly the elderly (such as, for instance, remitting seronegative symmetric synovitis with pitting edema) and conditions affecting any age group, but which can present with peculiar features in the elderly, like rheumatoid arthritis and the seronegative arthropathies. Therefore, in order to arrive at a correct diagnosis, a knowledge of the specific features of these disorders is required. In addition, the treatment of elderly patients differs from that of other age groups in that elderly subjects appear to have an increased susceptibility to adverse reactions. This susceptibility is related both to the different metabolism of aged subjects, including the impairment of the renal function, and to the multiple therapies that such subjects often receive. In view of the ever increasing elderly population in the western world, all physicians, over and beyond the limited circle of rheumatologists, should be knowlegeable about the principles of diagnosing and treating senile arthritis.
Weston Education Center, King's College Hospital and Rheumatology Unit, Guy's Campus, GKT School of Medicine, London. nicolo.pipitone@asmm.re.it
Nicolò
N
Pipitone
Costantino
C
Pitzalis
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001168:Arthritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011111:Polymyalgia Rheumatica / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D013585:Synovitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents