International Journal of Gerontology
Volume 2, Issue 3 , Pages 83-90, September 2008

Acute Arthritis in the Elderly: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment

  • Yi-Chun Lin

      Affiliations

    • Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Wei-Sheng Chen

      Affiliations

    • Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Hsiao-Yi Lin

      Affiliations

    • Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
    • School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to: Dr Hsiao-Yi Lin, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of internal Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, No. 201, Section 2, Shih-Pai Road, Taipei 11217, Taiwan

Accepted 4 March 2007.

Article Outline

Summary 

Acute arthritis is a prevalent disease in outpatient clinics and emergency rooms. In the elderly, the symptoms/signs are different from those experienced by young patients. Therefore, the diagnosis and treatment of acute arthritis in the elderly are distinct. Here, we start by examining a case of acute arthritis and then review the literature to learn the principles of managing acute arthritis in the elderly.

Key Words:  crystal-induced arthritis , gouty arthritis , pseudogout , septic arthritis , urate-lowering therapy

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References 

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PII: S1873-9598(08)70043-7

doi:10.1016/S1873-9598(08)70043-7

International Journal of Gerontology
Volume 2, Issue 3 , Pages 83-90, September 2008

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