RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS IN THE ELDERLY - IS IT A DIFFERENT DISEASE

Controversy has surrounded the question of whether rheumatoid arthriti s (RA) afflicting the elderly is a different disease than RA in younge r patients. Resolution of this complex question requires careful consi deration of the pathogenesis of the disease and its diagnosis and prog nosis. Meaningful analysis of these factors optimally derives from a c ritical review of all relevant medical literature (i.e., an evidence-b ased approach); however, methodologic inconsistencies and other diffic ulties with the literature on this subject largely preclude definitive interpretation. This review examines the evidence concerning various aspects of RA in the elderly population. (C) 1997 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.