Abstract
Objectives: To investigate rheumatologic diseases in older adults and examine how age‑related physiological changes influence disease presentation, progression, and treatment response.
Design: Narrative review.
Setting(s): Global.
Outcome Measures: Current evidence from immunology, epidemiology, gerontology, and clinical medicine to present a comprehensive overview of rheumatologic diseases in older adults.
Results: Aging-related changes, such as immunosenescence, sarcopenia, connective tissue degeneration, and metabolic alterations, contributed to increased prevalence, atypical presentations, and complex management of rheumatic diseases in older adults. Moreover, therapeutic decisions were influenced by multimorbidity, frailty, polypharmacy, and altered pharmacokinetics. Additionally, individualized pharmacologic therapy, non-pharmacologic interventions, and multidisciplinary care were found to be essential. Emerging directions included biomarker discovery, personalized medicine, and telemedicine integration.
Conclusions: Overall, rheumatologic diseases in older adults require individualized, multidisciplinary management strategies that take into account for age-associated physiological and clinical complexities. Furthermore, advances in personalized approaches, geriatric integration, and research into biomarkers and treatment optimization have the potential to improve outcomes and quality of life in this growing patient population. Continued research and tailored clinical frameworks are also imperative for addressing the unique challenges of geriatric rheumatology.