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Rheumatoid arthritis in the elderly, presenting as polymyalgia rheumatica
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|April 1, 1979
Summary
Distinguishing polymyalgia rheumatica from rheumatoid arthritis in older adults can be challenging. Some patients initially presenting with polymyalgia rheumatica symptoms may later develop classic rheumatoid arthritis.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Polymyalgia rheumatica and rheumatoid arthritis are inflammatory conditions that can affect elderly individuals.
- Differentiating between these two conditions in the elderly poses diagnostic challenges.
Observation:
- Two elderly patients presented with symptoms mimicking polymyalgia rheumatica, including generalized aches, stiffness, fatigue, and anemia.
- These patients later developed symmetrical synovitis, joint pain, and swelling, leading to a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis.
Findings:
- Rheumatoid arthritis in the elderly can initially present with symptoms similar to polymyalgia rheumatica.
- Conversely, polymyalgia rheumatica can manifest with synovitis resembling rheumatoid arthritis.
Implications:
- The overlap in presentation highlights the difficulty in early differentiation of these conditions in older patients.
- A subset of patients initially diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica may eventually progress to exhibit overt rheumatoid arthritis.