CLINICAL-FEATURES AND PROGNOSIS OF POLYAR TERITIS-NODOSA OF THE ELDERLY - A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY IN 25 YOUNGER ONSET POLYARTERITIS-NODOSA AND 22 ELDERLY ONSET POLYARTERITIS-NODOSA

Between 1985 and 1995, 47 patients with evidence of polyarteritis nodo sa were seen at the department of Internal Medicine. Thirty-nine patie nts fulfilled histological and/or arteriographic diagnostic criteria, and in eight patients, the diagnosis was based on clinical criteria. A t the onset of the disease, 25 patients were below the age of 65 (grou p A) and 22 were above the age of 65 (group B). Except for increased f requency of weight loss in group B and increased frequency of cutaneou s signs (purpura and nodes) in group A, no significant differences wer e found in clinical and biological features. The mean duration of foll ow-up was 46.9 +/- 36.5 months. The number of deaths was significantly higher among the elderly (ten deaths in group B versus two in group A ).