Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

¹Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Adana, Turkey
²Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara, Turkey DOI : 10.31086/tjgeri.2021.242 Gerontorheumatology is an evolving area of medicine. The most common rheumatic diseases in elderly are osteoarthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, crystal arthropathies and rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmune and inflammatory rheumatic diseases in elderly have some distinct features when compared to younger adults. Over the past decade, rapid accumulation of data has increased our understanding regarding the mechanisms underlying these distinct features of rheumatic diseases in older individuals. The present article aimed to present common rheumatic diseases in elderly, to review the differences in terms the onset/course of rheumatic diseases between elderly and young adults, and to provide an insight regarding the pathophysiological mechanisms of distinct rheumatic disease patterns in elderly population. In elderly, the presentation at onset and the course of autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases differ from those in younger counterparts. The progressive accumulation of damage at the molecular level triggered by free radicals and spontaneous errors in biochemical pathways stand as the contributors of inflamm-aging. Besides, biomechanical factors and concomitant systemic conditions in elderly can accelerate the progression of rheumatic diseases. In this regard, diagnosis and management of rheumatic conditions in elderly are often challenging and require a comprehensive look. Keywords : Geriatrics; Rheumatology; Rheumatic Diseases; Signs and Symptoms