Analysis of Cervical Sagittal Parameters in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the cervical sagittal parameters of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compare them with the parameters obtained from healthy patients in a sample of the Brazilian population. Methods: Epidemiological data were collected and 72 radiographs of the cervical spine in the sagittal plane were evaluated by measuring the cervical sagittal parameters COG-C7 (distance measured between the center of gravity of the head and the C7 plumb line -cranial offset), C2-C7 lordosis (vertebrae from C2 to C7), T1S (T1 slope), TIA (thoracic inlet angle) and NT (neck tilt). Statistical analysis was performed using the Student’s t and chi-square tests. Results: The TIA and NT values in the RA group were 88.8° ± 12.6° and 54.5° ± 9.3°, respectively, while for the control group, they were 77.7° ± 7.9° and 50.5° ± 7.7°, respectively, the RA group values being statistically higher than the control group values (p <0.001 and p = 0.050, respectively). The values obtained for COG-C7, C2-C7 lordosis and T1S for the RA group were 9.4 ± 16.4mm, 25° ± 22.4° and 2.6° ± 10.1°, respectively, while for the control group they were 11.8 ± 17.6mm, 26.8° ± 12.5° and 30.9° ± 8.4°, respectively. Conclusions: Patients with RA present changes in the thoracic inlet parameters as compared to the control group, with a statistically significant increase in the TIA and NT values, outlining a characteristic compensatory pattern for maintaining cervical sagittal balance. Level of evidence III; Controlled cross-sectional study.