Abstract
Rheumatology is a broad specialty in itself, and it involves caring for patients of all age groups. Patients of different age groups have different characteristics and a one-size-fits-all approach is not feasible in catering to their diverse medical needs. The presentation and the manifestations of diseases vary in different age groups. We have pediatric rheumatology as a separate subspecialty where pediatric patients with rheumatological diseases are provided specific care best suited to their needs. However, for older patients, such a separate subspecialty is not widely available in medical practice. Geriatric rheumatology or gerontorheumatology is a branch of rheumatology dealing with older patients with rheumatological diseases. It is high time to consider establishing geriatric rheumatology as a separate subspecialty to provide better care for older patients.
Highlights
We have pediatric rheumatology as a separate subspecialty where pediatric patients with rheumatological diseases are provided specific care best suited to their needs
Geriatric rheumatology or gerontorheumatology is a branch of rheumatology dealing with older patients with rheumatological diseases
As the number of people over 65 years is increasing day by day, it is estimated that the number of older patients with musculoskeletal problems will double in the coming decades
Summary
Evaluation of elderly patients is often medically challenging because of the co-morbid conditions, limited social support, and polypharmacy. As the number of people over 65 years is increasing day by day, it is estimated that the number of older patients with musculoskeletal problems will double in the coming decades It will be very challenging for rheumatology to meet the healthcare needs of the growing elderly population. Many inflammatory markers like IL-6 and TNF alpha increase during the aging process These are the promoters of osteoclast differentiation and activation and cause net bone resorption [16]. We need more clinical trials in the future for establishing the effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells Certain rheumatological conditions such as polymyalgia rheumatica, osteoporosis, pseudogout, and osteoarthritis occur in the latter half of life; while other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis manifest at a younger age, their clinical manifestations may exacerbate with advancing age [18]. We need to put in place more measures to ease the path for appropriate communication with the patients and adapt to the new modes of drug administration in the elderly
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