Vasculitis in the geriatric population

Abstract

Vasculitis represents an uncommon but important group of disease entities that may affect older patients. The most common vasculitic disease in humans in giant cell arteritis, a disease process seen almost exclusively in patients older than 50 years in age. Vasculitic disease in geriatric patients presents unique challenges with regard to diagnosis and treatment. A thorough understanding of the vasculitic disease entities that may affect older patients as well as their diagnosis and management is essential in minimizing disease and treatment-related morbidity and mortality.