Combined with the reported data and the power calculation (Table S2 in Additional file 1), our results support TNFAIP3 and ETS1 as probable common genetic risk factors for SLE in different populations, highlighting the importance of two biological pathways: type I interferon (involving TNFAIP3) and immune signal transduction in lymphocytes (involving ETS1). This evidence concerns the gene ETS1 and systemic lupus erythematosus.