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E-ISSN: 2651-2661 ISSN: 2651-2653
Do we give enough importance to the geriatric patients in rheumatology outpatient clinics?
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Original Article
VOLUME: 15 ISSUE: 1
P: 14-17
March 2023

Do we give enough importance to the geriatric patients in rheumatology outpatient clinics?

J Turk Soc Rheumatol 2023;15(1):14-17
DOI: 10.4274/raed.galenos.2023.75047
Berivan Bitik 1
Mehmet Engin Tezcan 2
Ahmet Eftal Yücel 1
1. Başkent Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, İç Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Romatoloji Bilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye
2. Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Şehir Hastanesi, İç Hastalıkları Kliniği, Romatoloji Bölümü, İstanbul, Türkiye
No information available.
No information available
Received Date: 11.08.2022
Accepted Date: 30.01.2023
Publish Date: 01.04.2023
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ABSTRACT

Objective:

The definition of geriatric patient (GP) includes individuals aged 60 and over. Therefore, it may be necessary for rheumatologists to be aware of the problems they may encounter when planning the treatment of this privileged group and to have guidelines to guide doctors in arranging the treatment of rheumatological diseases. The aim of this study is to examine whether there are specific recommendations for GP in the rheumatology treatment guidelines published to date.

Methods:

The treatment guidelines of the he European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), published between 1970 and 2022, were reviewed in detail by two rheumatologists in terms of specific recommendations for GP. In these guidelines, recommendations for the age range (≥60 years), recommendations containing keywords, and items that seem to be relevant to elderly patients were noted.

Results:

Within the scope of the study, 38 EULAR and 11 ACR treatment guidelines were reviewed. In total, 6 (12.2%) guidelines were found to have special recommendations for elderly patients. Guidelines with specific recommendations were EULAR points to consider for the management of difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis, Points to consider for the development, evaluation and implementation of mobile health applications for self-management in patients with rheumatic diseases, 2019 update of EULAR recommendations for Vaccination in Adult Patients with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases, EULAR Recommendations for prevention and management of osteoporotic fractures, EULAR Points to consider for monitoring (detection/prevention) comorbidities in inflammatory rheumatic diseases, 2015 Recommendations for the management of polymyalgia rheumatica: An EULAR/ACR collaborative initiative.

Conclusion:

Few recommendations specific to GP have been found in treatment guidelines. Further clinical trials should be planned to contribute to the management of medical and non-medical treatment of elderly patients.

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