Rheumatology and Care of the Elderly

At the end of this course, students should be able to: 1. demonstrate sound theoretical knowledge of the subject; 2. list and display sound clinical skills in the evaluation of the patient; 3. investigate patients with utmost prioritisation; 4. manage and prevent the disease as may be applicable; and 5. exhibit sound knowledge of individual and community level prevention of diseases.

The sero-negative arthritides. The sero-positive arthritides. Rheumatoid arthritis, sjogren’s syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis, enteropathic arthropathy, osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease). The connective tissue disorders. Systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis (scleroderma), mixed connective tissue disease, dermatomyositis/polymyositis, giant cell arteritis, lessons on rehabilitation. Physiological and psychosocial changes in old age, medical and surgical diseases of the elderly. Psychiatric disorders of the elderly. Nutrition in the elderly. Competence and forensic issues in the elderly.