High mortality rate in rheumatoid arthritis with subluxation of the cervical spine: a cohort study of operated and nonoperated patients.

Study Design: In a prospective cohort study 532 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and subluxations of the cervical spine were consecutively collected during 1974-1999.

Objective: The aims of the study were to assess important factors affecting the mortality rate and the timing of surgical intervention.

Summary Of Background Data: The average follow-up time from the first visit to death or to the end of the study was 8.