News that a recently completed trade between Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres had been delayed after outfielder Matt Kemp, 30, revealed he has arthritis should remind physicians not to take patients’ healthy status for granted simply because they’re young.
“I think most physicians are trained to recognize patterns, but then to be skeptical about those conclusions and be sure we’re not jumping to conclusions,” says Douglas White, MD, PhD, chief of rheumatology at Gundersen Health System, based in La Crosse, Wis., and chair of the ACR’s Committee on Rheumatologic Care.
“We’re trained to follow that up with testing to confirm our suspicions, and we do that as deeply and carefully as we can,” adds Dr. White. “But I think we all, from time to time, fall victim to the facade of somebody who looks young and healthy, which makes it harder to diagnose something [that] is really wrong, as opposed to a mild injury.”
Although Mr. Kemp’s diagnosis may or may not be related to inflammatory disease, Dr. White says his case also serves to remind physicians that early recognition and treatment in young, seemingly healthy, people are vital to successful outcomes.
“No matter what the cause and the underlying problem that is leading to his arthritis, we have to take these kinds of complaints seriously, even in young people and even in athletes,” he adds.
Symptoms to look for in active young people include swelling, stiffness (especially stiffness that gets worse with rest and better with activity) and issues at nighttime or early morning. Physicians should also pay attention when a patient volunteers that symptoms get better with heat.
“My ears perk up when I hear patients describe symptoms that alert me to a hyperactivated immune system,” Dr. White says. “Take a closer look.” (posted 2/13/15)
Richard Quinn is a freelance writer in New Jersey.
