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Rheumatoid arthritis in elderly patients.

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.