Majithia Vikas, Peel Chere, Geraci Stephen A
Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
Geriatrics. 2009 Sep;64(9):22-8.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the geriatric population presents a unique challenge to treating clinicians. It can present as preexisting disease that may have been present for years or as a de novo onset of the illness. Diagnosis and management requires a detailed knowledge of the disease, its differential diagnoses, and the therapeutic options. A number of other diseases can mimic the illness and must be thoroughly evaluated to avoid serious consequences. New agents to treat RA are available that have shown promise in clinical trials and practice. Aggressive RA treatment should not be withheld in the geriatric population just because of advanced age, rather, treatment should be individualized, especially considering comorbidities and other factors that can specifically affect a patient's quality of life. Coordination of care among geriatricians and rheumatologists is the key to achieving optimal outcome.
老年人群中的类风湿关节炎（RA）给临床治疗医生带来了独特的挑战。它可能表现为已存在多年的疾病，也可能是疾病的新发。诊断和管理需要对该疾病、其鉴别诊断以及治疗选择有详细的了解。许多其他疾病可能会模仿这种病症，必须进行全面评估以避免严重后果。有一些治疗RA的新药已在临床试验和实践中显示出前景。不应仅仅因为年龄较大就不给老年人群积极治疗RA，相反，治疗应个体化，尤其要考虑到合并症和其他可能特别影响患者生活质量的因素。老年病医生和风湿病医生之间的护理协调是实现最佳治疗效果的关键。
