Recurrent pericarditis in older adults: Clinical and laboratory features and outcome

Background Current guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of pericarditis refer to the general adult population. Few and fragmentary data regarding recurrent pericarditis in older adults exist. Objective of the Study Given the absence of specific data in scientific literature, we hypothesized that there might be clinical, laboratory and outcome differences between young adults and older adults affected by idiopathic recurrent pericarditis. Materials and Methods We performed an international multicentric retrospective cohort study analyzing data from patients affected by recurrent pericarditis (idiopathic or post‐cardiac injury) and referring to tertiary referral centers. Clinical, laboratory, and outcome data were compared between patients younger than 65 years (controls) and patients aged 65 or older. Results One hundred and thirty‐three older adults and 142 young adult controls were enrolled. Comorbidities, including chronic kidney diseases, atrial fibrillation, and diabetes, were more present in older adults. The presenting symptom was dyspnea in 54.1% of the older adults versus 10.6% in controls (p