[Multimorbidity in elderly rheumatic patients part 1]

An appropriate treatment of elderly rheumatic patients implements comprehensive diagnostics and exclusion diagnostics of e.g. coronary heart disease, osteoporosis, renal failure, diabetes mellitus type 2 and thyroid gland dysfunction. Furthermore, the complex disease situation might require the integration of other faculties or might be a reason for inpatient treatment. The complexity in the treatment of multimorbid elderly patients suffering from rheumatism not only rises with increasing age but also constitutes a considerable challenge due to existing incapacities and preceding as well as currently performed immunosuppressive therapies. The necessary treatment framework is outlined from the perspective of rheumatologists and geriatricians. Typical geriatric symptoms, such as malnutrition, immobility and frailty might be enhanced if multimorbidity is simultaneously present.