In Sum
Many real-world challenges interfere with efforts to optimize the utilization of DMARD therapy for patients with late-onset RA. A need exists for increased clinical and research experience in older adults to provide data-driven practice for patients with late-onset RA. Dedicated geriatric rheumatology clinics with elements of the 5Ms incorporated within the practice will provide clinical experience. Dedicated trials and longitudinal observational studies will provide much-needed, nuanced evidence for best practice to improve the care of older adults with late-onset RA.
Devyani Misra, MD, MS, is board certified in rheumatology and geriatrics. She is affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
Jiha Lee, MD, MHS, is a rheumatologist at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
References
- van Schaardenburg D, Breedveld FC. Elderly onset rheumatoid arthritis. Semin Arthritis Rheum.1994 Jun; 23(6):367–378.
- Fraenkel L, Bathon JM, England BR, et al. 2021 American College of Rheumatology guideline for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021 Jul;73(7):1108–1123.
- Lee J, Martindale J, Makris UE, et al. Initiation of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in older medicare beneficiaries with new diagnosis of late-onset rheumatoid arthritis. ACR Open Rheumatol. 2023 Dec;5(12):694–700.
- Schmajuk G, Schneeweiss S, Katz JN, et al. Treatment of older adult patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis: Improved but not optimal. Arthritis Rheum. 2007;57(6):928–934.
- Guo J, Huang X, Dou L, et al. Aging and aging-related diseases: From molecular mechanisms to interventions and treatments. Signal Transduct Target Ther. 2022 Dec;7(1):391.
- Aymanns C, Keller F, Maus S, et al. Review on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and the aging kidney. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2010 Feb;5(2): 314–327.
- Tutuncu Z, Reed G, Kremer J, Kavanaugh A. Do patients with older-onset rheumatoid arthritis receive less aggressive treatment? Ann Rheum Dis. 2006; 65(9):1226–1229.
- Molnar F, Frank CC. Optimizing geriatric care with the geriatric 5 Ms. Can Fam Physician. 2019 Jan;65(1):39.
- Dalal DS, Duran J, Brar T, et al. Efficacy and safety of biological agents in the older rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to young: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. 2019 Apr;48(5):799–807.