Final answer:
Arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, can complicate the airway and cervical spine through multilevel degenerative changes that may cause severe central canal stenosis, cord compression, and myelomalacia. Hence, the statement is true.
Step-by-step explanation:
Arthritis can indeed complicate the airway and the cervical spine. Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which mainly affects synovial joints, can lead to the inflammation of the joint capsule and synovial membrane. As RA progresses, the articular cartilage may become severely damaged or destroyed, causing joint deformation, loss of movement, and potentially, severe disability.
The cervical spine is particularly susceptible to these changes given its range of motion and structural complexity. In cases of multilevel degenerative changes affecting disk spaces and posterior elements, patients may experience severe central canal stenosis, cord compression, and myelomalacia. These complications can affect the body's ability to manage the airway and protect the spinal cord.
Beyond the joints and spine, RA is also associated with other systemic conditions such as lung fibrosis, vasculitis, and coronary heart disease, which contribute to increased morbidity in affected individuals. Therefore, the statement given is A.True.