 |
|
|
 |
MARKKU J. KAUPPI, MARKO H. NEVA, KARI LAIHO, HANNU KAUTIAINEN, REIJO LUUKKAINEN, ANNA KARJALAINEN, PEKKA J. HANNONEN, MARJATTA LEIRISALO-REPO, MARKKU KORPELA, KIRSTI ILVA, and TIMO MÖTTÖNEN, for the FIN-RACo Trial Group ABSTRACT. Objective. To evaluate the 5-year incidence of cervical spine disorders in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated by 2 different disease modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) strategies. Methods. In a national, multicenter, prospective FIN-RACo-trial, a cohort of 199 patients with early, clinically active RA was randomly assigned to treatment with a combination of 3 DMARD and prednisolone (Combi group) or with a single DMARD (Single group) with or without prednisolone, aiming to induce remission. After 2 years, the DMARD therapy was unrestricted. Lateral view cervical spine radiographs during full flexion and extension were taken at the 5-year followup visits. The presence of anterior atlantoaxial subluxation (aAAS), atlantoaxial impaction (AAI), and subaxial subluxation (SAS) was assessed in the 149 patients with radiographs available (80 Single and 69 Combi). Results. At the 5-year visits, aAAS, AAI, and SAS were found in 13 (9%), 6 (4%), and 9 (6%) patients, respectively. The corresponding Single/Combi group ratios were 11/2, 5/1, and 5/4. Of the baseline data, only poor physical function [Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ); p = 0.024] and Single treatment strategy (p = 0.019) were significantly associated with aAAS. Worse HAQ scores and Disease Activity Score 28 values were found in patients who developed aAAS during the 5-year followup. Conclusion. RA patients with sustained clinical disease activity and poor HAQ are at increased risk of developing aAAS. The development of aAAS during the first 5 years of RA was rare among the patients treated with a combination of DMARD for at least 2 years from the diagnosis. Intensive treatment with traditional DMARD prevents or retards the development of aAAS in patients with recent-onset RA. (J Rheumatol First Release Dec 15 2008; doi:10.3899/jrheum.080429) Key Indexing Terms: RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS CERVICAL SPINE ATLANTOAXIAL SUBLUXATION TREATMENT DISEASE-MODIFYING ANTIRHEUMATIC DRUG From the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola; and Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland. Supported by an EVO-grant, Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola; and Maire Lisko Foundation, Oulu, Finland. M.J. Kauppi, MD, PhD, Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, and Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Tampere; M.H. Neva, MD, PhD, Tampere University Hospital; K. Laiho, MD, PhD; H. Kautiainen, BA, Rheumatism Foundation Hospital; R. Luukkainen, MD, PhD, Satakunta Central Hospital, Rauma; A. Karjalainen, MD, PhD, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu; P.J. Hannonen, MD, Professor, Jyväskylä Central Hospital, Jyväskylä; M. Leirisalo-Repo, MD, Professor, Helsinki University Central Hospital; M. Korpela, MD, PhD, Tampere University Hospital; K. Ilva, MD, Kanta-Häme Central Hospital, Hämeenlinna; T. Möttönen, MD, Professor, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland. Address reprint requests to Dr. M.J. Kauppi, Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, 18120 Heinola, Finland. E-mail: markku.kauppi@reuma.fi Accepted for publication September 17, 2008. |
