ABSTRACT
The objective of the study is to illustrate the incidence of sacroiliac involvement during rheumatoid arthritis, among 1000 cases seen in a period of 22 years. All patients fulfilled the criteria of American college of Rheumatology [ACR 87]. Were included only those with sacroiliitis diagnosed by X-Ray and a positive rheumatoid serology. 7 cases of radiologic sacroileitis were found [0.7%]; sex-ratio was 0.4; mean age was 42.85 years old; the age at onset was about 5.42 years. All patient had hand and wrist involvement with respect to distal interphalange joints. Deformities were seen in 6 cases and the majority were classified stage II clinically and stage III radiologically [Stein Brocker classification]. We noted that 2 cases of coxitis were associated to the sacroileitis and also 2 cases of subcutaneous nodules. Sedimentation rate was increased around 78 mm. Sacroileitis was classified stage III in 2 cases, one patient presented the diagnosis of spondylarthropathy associated to nodular, destructive and erosive rheumatoid arthritis; the diagnosis of spondylarthropathy was retained on AMOR criteria [7 points] and European Group [ESSG] criteria. The treatment was based on salazopyrine. Sacroiliac involvement during rheumatoid arthritis is not rare and should be explored when suggestive clinical signs are present