Abstract

Challenges in Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis in the Elderly: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Author(s): Perwin Sheikh*

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) typically manifests in middle-aged individuals, but its presentation in elderly patients often poses diagnostic challenges due to overlapping comorbidities and atypical manifestations. This article reviews the case of a 72-year-old male with a gradual onset of symmetric joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Despite his advanced age, his symptoms were ultimately recognized as RA, and the patient responded well to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). We discuss the difficulties in diagnosing RA in the elderly and highlight key strategies for clinicians to distinguish RA from other age-related joint conditions.