INFLAMMATORY SPONDYLOARTHROPATHY Rheumatoid arthri

INFLAMMATORY SPONDYLOARTHROPATHY Rheumatoid arthritis

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are a class of drugs indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Conventional medications have been used such as methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine and sulfasal - azine. Newer biological agents are now available, including - infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept. These medications have improved the outcomes significantly . Betw een 33% and 50% of patients develop atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) within 5 years of the diagnosis of rheu - matoid arthritis. Some 2–10% of patients with AAS develop myelopathy o ver the next 10 years. Once diagnosed with myelopathy , 50% of patients ma y die within 1 year. The degree of subluxation may need to be checked by performing flexion and extension radiographs, and the theatre sta ff (especially the anaesthetist) need to be warned to take special care especially with intubation. The indications for surgery to stabilise the cer - - vical spine are given in Table 37.12 . Bacterium coli commune in 1886. /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF

rheumatoid arthritis. AAS with a PADI of 14 /uni00A0 mm or less AAS with at least 5 /uni00A0 mm of basilar invagination Subaxial subluxation with a sagittal canal diameter of 14 /uni00A0 mm or less AAS, atlantoaxial subluxation; PADI, posterior atlantodental interval.

INFLAMMATORY SPONDYLOARTHROPATHY Rheumatoid arthritis

Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) are a class of drugs indicated for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Conventional medications have been used such as methotrexate, leflunomide, hydroxychloroquine and sulfasal - azine. Newer biological agents are now available, including - infliximab, adalimumab and etanercept. These medications have improved the outcomes significantly . Betw een 33% and 50% of patients develop atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) within 5 years of the diagnosis of rheu - matoid arthritis. Some 2–10% of patients with AAS develop myelopathy o ver the next 10 years. Once diagnosed with myelopathy , 50% of patients ma y die within 1 year. The degree of subluxation may need to be checked by performing flexion and extension radiographs, and the theatre sta ff (especially the anaesthetist) need to be warned to take special care especially with intubation. The indications for surgery to stabilise the cer - - vical spine are given in Table 37.12 . Bacterium coli commune in 1886. /uni25CF /uni25CF /uni25CF

rheumatoid arthritis. AAS with a PADI of 14 /uni00A0 mm or less AAS with at least 5 /uni00A0 mm of basilar invagination Subaxial subluxation with a sagittal canal diameter of 14 /uni00A0 mm or less AAS, atlantoaxial subluxation; PADI, posterior atlantodental interval.