Abstract
Vasculitis in the Elderly: Clinical Challenges and Management Strategies
Author(s): Debjani Sen Chakraborty*Vasculitis encompasses a wide range of disorders that involve inflammation of the blood vessels and can affect various organ systems. In the elderly population, the presentation of vasculitis is often atypical, and the diagnosis may be delayed due to overlapping clinical features with other age-related diseases. This article reviews the epidemiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic challenges of vasculitis in older adults. It emphasizes the importance of early recognition and differential diagnosis, as well as the unique treatment challenges posed by aging, including polypharmacy and comorbidities. The article also evaluates current management strategies, including corticosteroids, immunosuppressive agents, and biologics, with a focus on optimizing therapeutic regimens to minimize adverse effects. Finally, we discuss the importance of multidisciplinary care and the role of rheumatologists in managing elderly patients with vasculitis.