Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic connective tissue disease, characterized by progressive, destructive polyarthritis with internal organs involvement due to active, systemic inflammation. The onset of disease occurs usually in 4th or 5th decade of life. Since the general population is ageing, beginning of RA in older age is more and more common. The term elderly onset of rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) describes the disease with onset at age over 60. Several observational studies indicated, that proportion of women and men is comparable in EORA. Clinical course of the disease is characterized by sudden onset with general constitutional symptoms, high disease activity and inflammatory parameters. Involvement of large joints is more common, specially shoulder joints. Antibodies typical for RA (rheumatoid factor, anti-citrullinated peptide) are usually negative. More advanced destructive changes of joints and functional impairment are also characteristic for EORA patients in comparison with younger onset of RA (YORA). In clinical practice the use of methotrexate and biological drugs is less common, and glucocorticosteroids more common in EORA. Due to high RA activity, patients with EORA should be treated in the same way as YORA, with careful monitoring due to higher risk of adverse events associated with treatment.
Keywords: late consequences; late onset; EORA; old age; rheumatoid arthritis.