The occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in elderly is frequent. If the reality of a real difference in clinical presentation between younger and older subjects is discussed, the central point remains that the prognosis is not better for the elderly. Finally, conventional treatment is as effective and safe as in younger patients, and the same stringent targets for management of the PR used for young subjects must be applied in the elderly.
To identify the characteristics of RA in the elderly in its epidemiological, clinical, radiological, evolutive and therapeutic.
We conducted a retrospective study of RA in the elderly aged 65 and over, we've compiled ten cases hospitalized over a period of 4 1/2 years in the service of Internal Medicine, Habib Thameur Hospital (Tunis).
There were 8 women and 2 men. The average age was 70.6 years. The onset of arthritis and the disease was progressive in seven cases. An inflammatory syndrome was present in seven cases. Rheumatoid factor was positive in eight cases. Five patients were classified as stage III and IV according to the radiological classification of Steinbrocker. The treatment was based on painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs in all cases. Long-term treatment was initiated in seven patients. The outcome was favorable in all cases.
Late-onset RA is a heterogeneous framework in which multiple clinical forms deserve to be individualized and should reflect this diversity, rather than approach to the problem of global RA after 60 years.