1. Genti Kavaja , Durres Regional Hospital , Albania
2. Sonela Xinxo, Institute of Public Health, Tirane, ALBANIA, Albania
Background: The involvement of cervical spine is common during rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease and is characterized by bone erosions, destruction of cartilage and ligaments. The involvement of atlanto-axial joint accompanies by subluxation and cervical pain. Frequency of cervical spine involvement is depended by many factors.
Objective: to identify the frequency of involvement of the cervical spine in patients with RA and correlation of this involvement with disease activity.
Methods: One hundred patients diagnosed with AR, according to American College of rheumatology criteria of 1987, were included in the study from the district of Durres. Each patient underwent specific laboratory tests: C-reactive protein and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (anti-CCP) and standard X-rays of the cervical spine in the cervical lateral images in normal position and in flexion.
Results: Of the 100 patients in the study, 88 were women and 12 were men with a mean age 48.5 ± 6.5 years. Radiological changes of cervical column were seen in 64 cases (64%). These changes included odontoid articulation erosions in 21 patients (21%), atlanto-axial subluxation in 27 patients (27%) and 16 patients had both radiological changes. Among patients with involvement of the cervical spine, the mean values of C-reactive protein was 12.9 ± 3.0 mg/L and the mean value of anti-CCP was 29.9 ± 17.2 U/ml which were significantly higher than in patients without cervical column change in radiology (respectively C-reactive protein 11.2 ± 1.9 mg/L and 26.2 ± anti-CCP 13.4 U/ml).
Conclusions. Involvement of cervical spine is a common finding in patients with AR. Thus it is recommended the performing of cervical X-ray in patients with AR and especially those with the highest values of the indicators of disease activity (CRP and anti-CCP).
Ključne reči :
Tematska oblast:
Ostalo
Datum:
29.06.2016.
XI Savjetovanje hemičara, tehnologa i ekologa Republike Srpske
