2025 Volume 37 Issue 1 Pages 47-54
Due to the aging population in Japan, the patients with late-onset rheumatoid arthritis（LORA）are increasing. In our hospital, we treat many patients with LORA, and the patients of chronic inflammatory arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis（RA）are aging. Because of societal changes in which older people are increasingly living alone, many older patients with RA need to provide their own medical treatment. It is important that we medical workers grasp the patient’s background and whether they understand their illness with informed consent. Further, multidisciplinary care and cooperation between medical workers and the patient’s family are important for alleviating the symptoms of the patient to help them maintain their quality of life. To take care of older RA patients, it is important to grasp the change of the patient’s functions, mental state, and lifestyle, as well as the characteristics of their RA and LORA. Individual care is vital.
