Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 13, 2026
07:44
Evaluation of Changes in Hydration and Body Cell Mass with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis after Exercise Program for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
Published on: July 14, 2023
Rheumatic disease in the elderly: rheumatoid arthritis
Zuhre Tutuncu1, Arthur Kavanaugh
1Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093-0943, USA.
Rheumatic Diseases Clinics of North America
|March 21, 2007
Summary
Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis and treatment in the elderly present unique challenges due to comorbidities and increased adverse events. Improving diagnostic and therapeutic interventions is crucial for this growing population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- The prevalence and incidence of inflammatory arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, are rising in the elderly population.
- Ageing demographics in Western countries contribute to an increased number of older adults with inflammatory arthritis.
- Rheumatoid arthritis in the elderly presents diagnostic and therapeutic challenges distinct from younger populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the multifaceted aspects of rheumatoid arthritis in the elderly.
- To discuss the spectrum of diseases that can mimic rheumatoid arthritis in older adults.
- To highlight the need for specialized diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for elderly patients with inflammatory arthritis.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on rheumatoid arthritis in the elderly.
- Analysis of diagnostic challenges specific to the geriatric population.
- Examination of treatment considerations, including comorbidities and adverse events.
Main Results:
- The elderly present with a different spectrum of rheumatoid arthritis and related conditions.
- Comorbidities and increased risk of adverse events complicate management in older adults.
- Current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies require adaptation for elderly patients.
Conclusions:
- Management of inflammatory arthritis in the elderly necessitates careful consideration of individual patient factors.
- There is a significant need for enhanced diagnostic tools and tailored therapeutic interventions for rheumatoid arthritis in older adults.
- Improving care for elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis is essential to mitigate disease impact.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients
Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
01:27Pharmacodynamics in Geriatric Patients: Effects of Age
Age-related pharmacokinetic changes are extensively documented, but understanding age-related pharmacodynamic alterations is relatively limited. This knowledge gap can be partly attributed to the complexity of developing appropriate measures of drug responses compared to bioanalytical methods for determining drug concentrations.Most information regarding age-related differences in human pharmacodynamics originates from cross-sectional studies. However, these studies assume that observed mean...
01:23Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction
Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
01:22Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...
01:21Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) management can be divided into two main strategies: prevention and long-term management.Primary PreventionPrimary prevention focuses on timely diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis to prevent acute rheumatic fever. The most widely used antibiotic for treating this condition is intramuscular benzathine penicillin G.Acute Rheumatic Fever TreatmentThe primary treatment goal for a patient diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever is to suppress the...
01:20Rheumatic Heart Disease IV: Nursing Management
AssessmentA comprehensive assessment is essential in managing a patient with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Begin with obtaining a detailed medical history, including recent streptococcal infections, a history of rheumatic fever, or previously diagnosed rheumatic heart disease. Assess the patient for symptoms such as fever, chest pain, widespread joint pain (arthralgia), tachycardia, pericardial friction rub, muffled heart sounds, heart murmurs, peripheral edema, subcutaneous nodules, and...