[Inflammatory rheumatic diseases in old age]

Although in higher age degenerative diseases of the spine and joints preponderate, the portion of inflammatory rheumatic diseases is relatively high, and may raise difficult diagnostic problems. Prevalence of rheumatic fever, ankylosing spondylitis, gout and some connective tissue diseases starting in higher age is low and their course is more benign and milder than in earlier age groups. Chondrocalcinosis (pseudogout) and polymyalgia rheumatica are typical rheumatic diseases of higher age. Rheumatoid arthritis with first onset in higher age is also not rare. This disease may start explosively and may run a progressive course. Very hig blood sedimentation rate, early arthritis of shoulder joints and symptoms of a severe general disease often are the leading symptoms. Diagnostic similitarities with other diseases like malignant tumors or with paraneoplastic arthritis may mislead in diagnosis of senile rheumatoid arthritis.