[Gerontorheumatology. Aspects of diagnosis, course and therapy of inflammatory rheumatic disease in advanced age]

[Inflammatory rheumatic diseases in the elderly: rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica]

Inflammatory rheumatic diseases with first onset in advanced age have some specific clinical features. Late-onset rheumatoid arthritis and polymyalgia rheumatica/giant cell arteriitis are the most relevant rheumatic diseases among older patients. They are characterized by acute onset, early functional impairment, and difficult differential diagnosis. First-line therapy usually consists of glucocorticoids. During long-term therapy, a spectrum of immunosuppressive agents and biologicals can also be used in elderly patients.