The changes in the cervical spine of patients with reumathoid arthritis were studied in 81 patients. The aim of the study was to determine the presence of changes in the cervical spine of these patients and their association with clinical signs, symptoms, stage as recommended by American Rheumatism Association (ARA) and classification of functional status.Odontoid upward migration, sub-axial instability and erosion of the odontoid process were evaluated by conventional plane Rx. Changes of the cervical spine were observed in 68 (83,9%) patients. Significant association (p<0,05) were observed between the classification of functional states and stages as recommended by ARA with radiological changes in the cervical spine. There was no statistical positive correlation between pain and neurological symptoms with the radiographic changes of the cervical spine.
Spine; Arthritis; Rheumatoid
