2018 Volume 30 Issue 3 Pages 210-214
Japan has become a super-aged society since 2007, and accordingly, patients with systemic rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis are also increasing in age. Although immunosenescence was observed in elderly patients, the production of various inflammatory cytokines is rather upregulated; which results in a therapeutic dilemma. In addition, epithelial barrier dysfunction is a critical issue in elderly patients among the host-defense mechanisms.
Infectious diseases and immune diseases are mutually related in a complex manner, and they often fall into a vicious cycle. Although it is common for immunosuppressive drugs to be discontinued during the time of infectious diseases, the treatment of infectious disease should be as short-term as possible taking account the risk for developing immune reactivation and subsequent serious complications.
