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Elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis: clinical aspects
G Bajocchi1, R La Corte, A Locaputo
1Rheumatic Disease Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera S. Anna, Ferrara, Italy.
Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology
|August 19, 2000
Summary
Elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) presents with acute onset and constitutional symptoms more frequently than younger-onset RA (YORA). EORA also shows higher shoulder involvement, while YORA more often affects the feet.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Clinical Immunology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) presentation, severity, and prognosis vary with age of onset.
- Elderly onset RA (EORA) and younger-onset RA (YORA) exhibit distinct clinical characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare EORA and YORA patients, focusing on disease onset and clinical features.
- To elucidate differences in presentation between EORA and YORA in treatment-naïve patients.
Main Methods:
- Comparative study of 101 EORA (>60 years) and 88 YORA (<60 years) patients.
- Patients were treatment-naïve for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and steroids.
- Analysis focused on onset characteristics, gender distribution, constitutional symptoms, and joint involvement.
Main Results:
- YORA had a higher female to male ratio (4.4:1 vs 1.6:1).
- EORA showed more frequent acute onset (33.6% vs 13.6%) and polymyalgic onset.
- EORA had greater shoulder involvement (64% vs 38%), while YORA had more foot involvement (25% vs 52%).
- Constitutional symptoms were more frequent in EORA.
Conclusions:
- EORA and YORA exhibit distinct clinical phenotypes.
- Age of onset is a significant factor influencing RA presentation and joint distribution.
- Understanding these differences is crucial for tailored patient management.