Background Cervical spine involvement in (RA) is not uncommon and can lead to deformities and functional disability.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate cervical pain and function in RA patients and determine the correlation between these variables and disease activity, and quality of life.

Methods A hundred and one patients with a diagnosis of RA recruited from outpatient clinics in the last two months. Patients with prior trauma, surgery or conditions related with cervical spine, were excluded. The demographic variables and clinical and laboratory disease activity parameters including DAS28 and HAQ were recorded. The patients were assessed according to the presence of neck pain. The intensity of neck pain was determined by VAS, and quality of life by RA-quality of life (RA-QoL). The patients with neck pain were completed neck disability index (NDI). The relationship between intensity of neck pain and functional scores, QoL, and clinical and laboratory variables were analyzed.

Results A hundred and one patients with a mean age and median disease duration of 53.9±11.3 and 10 years respectively were included. The ratio of patients with moderate, low disease activity and remission according to DAS28, were 50%, 30.7% and 19.3% respectively. 28% of patients had neck pain and they mostly had moderate disease activity. The mean scores of VAS-pain and NDI were 6.3±2.5 and 28.4±17.8. There was a positive correlation between NDI and RA-QoL (p<0.001, r=0.621) and HAQ (p<0.05, r=468) scores.

Conclusions One third of the RA patients had neck pain and impaired cervical function which is closely related with general functional disability and quality of life. We suggest the detailed evaluation of cervical pain and function in order to enhance general functional status and improve quality of life in RA patients.

Disclosure of Interest None Declared