Rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, and relapsing polychondritis

The neurologic complications of rheumatic disease are highly variable and their manifestations are linked to the pathogenesis and clinical phenotype of the specific rheumatologic syndrome. In active rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the peripheral nervous system is most commonly involved and mononeuritis multiplex, nerve entrapment and vascultitic sensorimotor neuropathy are not uncommon. Central nervous system complications such as pachymeningitis and cerebral vasculitis are rare. TNF blockade therapy of RA is rarely associated with demyelinating syndromes. In the spondyloarthropathies, especially ankylosing spondylitis (AS), neurologic complications are more frequent in long-standing, advanced disease and include atlantoaxial subluxation, cauda equina syndrome, spinal stenosis, and acute vertebral fractures. Peripheral nervous system involvement in any of the spondyloarthropaties is rare. Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is characterized by recurring bouts of inflammation, destruction of cartilaginous structures, and systemic and rarely central nervous system vasculitis. Visual-oculo and auditory complications are common. Definitive treatment of the neurologic complications and prevention of subsequent ones is dependent upon effective treatment of RA, AS or RP.