Geriatric Rheumatology: The Need for a Separate Subspecialty in the Near Future

Abstract

Rheumatology is a broad specialty in itself, and it involves caring for patients of all age groups. Patients of different age groups have different characteristics and a one-size-fits-all approach is not feasible in catering to their diverse medical needs. The presentation and the manifestations of diseases vary in different age groups. We have pediatric rheumatology as a separate subspecialty where pediatric patients with rheumatological diseases are provided specific care best suited to their needs. However, for older patients, such a separate subspecialty is not widely available in medical practice. Geriatric rheumatology or gerontorheumatology is a branch of rheumatology dealing with older patients with rheumatological diseases. It is high time to consider establishing geriatric rheumatology as a separate subspecialty to provide better care for older patients.