Joint pains in elderly people
Journal Title: Postępy Nauk Medycznych - Year 2011, Vol 24, Issue 5
Abstract
Joint pains often occur in the elderly. The main reasons for them are: osteoarthritis, systemic diseases of connective tissue (polymyalgia rheumatica, giant cell arteritis, chondrocalcinosis, Forestier disease, acute relapsing symmetric seronegative synovitis and peripheral edema- RS3 PE, elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis- EORA, gout), paraneoplastic syndromes, and soft tissue rheumatism (carpal tunnel syndrome, trochanteric syndrome, hip pains, shoudler pains, fibromyalgia, Baker’s cyst). Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, but not the only one which causes pain. The incidence of the disease increases with age.Polymyalgia rheumatica is a syndrome characterized by aching in the proximal portions of the extremities and torso. The main feature of polymyalgia is a rapid response to small doses of glucocorticoids. The diagnosis of giant cell arteritis should be considered in any patient older than 50 years who has experienced loss of vision, diplopia, a new form of headache, polymyalgia rheumatica, fever and unexplained constitutional symptoms.Elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis is defined as rheumatoid arthritis with the onset at the age > 60 and it differs slightly from younger-onset rheumatoid arthritis (YORA) by a more equal sex distribution, a higher frequency of an acute onset, more frequent involvement of large joints and higher disease activity.Gout with the onset at the age > 60 differs slightly from younger-onset gout as well.Rheumatic manifestation can be associated with malignant neoplasms. Recognition of paraneoplastic syndrome may be helpful in early diagnosis of cancer.Disorders of soft, peri-articular tissues are a common cause of musculoskeletal pain in the elderly. Nevertheless, most physicians underestimate the role of soft tissue rheumatism. They are often treated with non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs. In local pain syndromes better results can be obtained by local treatment. Local injections of glicocorticoids are usually very effective and safe.
Authors and Affiliations
Agnieszka Jasik, Ewa Marcinowska-Suchowierska
Keywords
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