Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
Epidemiology
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting approximately 1% of the global population, with a higher prevalence in women than in men.
Grading
see Ranawat Criterion.
Etiology
The cause of RA is not completely understood.
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of RA
Clinical features
It may result in deformed and painful joints, which can lead to loss of function. The disease may also have signs and symptoms in organs other than joints.
More than 85% of patients with moderate or severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have radiographic evidence of C-spine involvement 1).
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
Case series
1)
Ranawat CS, O'Leary P, Pellicci P, et al. Cervical Spine Fusion in Rheumatoid Arthritis. J Bone Joint Surg. 1979; 61A:1003–1010