Pathogenesis, Clinical Syndromology and Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starting after the age of 60 years is called elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) [1]. The age factor is very important as EORA accounts for 10–33 % of all RA cases and has certain specific clinical features. Another factor to be taken into account is that medications to treat elderly-onset RA may cause various adverse effects; therefore, the therapy must be carefully considered and continuously monitored. Older patients also typically suffer from more than one disease, and the drugs they receive may interact. Some of their physiological functions are impaired which has a negative impact on the drug bioavailability and metabolism.