AB0233 Anterior Atlantoaxial Subluxation in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Prevalence and Predictive Factors

BackgroundCervical spine involvement is common and potentially severe in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The most common abnormality is anterior Atlanto Axial Subluxation (aAAS), which has been reported in 19–70% of patients.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to determinate the prevalence of aAAS by plain radiographs and to assess its predictive factors.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out with RA patients diagnosed according to ACR 1987 or ACR/EULAR 2010 classification criteria. Demographic characteristics and features of disease were collected. Pain was measured using a visual analogue scale (VAS). RA activity was assessed by the Disease Activity Score (DAS 28). Functional disability was evaluated by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Joint destruction was assessed by the van der Heijde-modified Sharp Score. aAAS was assessed on lateral radiographs taken in flexion. The diagnosis was based on an anterior atlantodental interval (AADI) greater than 4 mm. Data analysis was carried out using the SPSS 20 Software. p