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Headache and vision changes in an elderly man with rheumatoid arthritis
Author(s) -
Kwok Timothy S.H.,
Daneman Nick,
Lake Shirley L.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of rheumatic diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.795
H-Index - 41
eISSN - 1756-185X
pISSN - 1756-1841
DOI - 10.1111/1756-185x.13589
Subject(s) - medicine , rheumatoid arthritis , giant cell arteritis , vaccination , incidence (geometry) , rheumatology , population , arteritis , adverse effect , dermatology , pediatrics , intensive care medicine , immunology , vasculitis , disease , physics , environmental health , optics
We present a case of an elderly, immunosuppressed patient with rheumatoid arthritis who was not appropriately vaccinated, and subsequently developed herpes zoster ophthalmicus, which initially presented similar to giant cell arteritis. Evidence‐based vaccinations are integral in decreasing the incidence of preventable diseases and promoting optimal health at the individual and population level. Although the patient ultimately did not suffer any long‐term adverse sequelae, this case highlights the importance of vaccination in the rheumatology setting, and to consider both inflammatory and infectious causes of headache and vision changes in the elderly.