As a result, nine novel RA susceptibility loci were identified; B3GNT2, ANXA3, CSF2, CD83, NFKBIE, ARID5B, PDE2A-ARAP1, PLD4 and PTPN2. [16] The study also showed that some previously reported RA susceptibility genes satisfied the genome-wide significance threshold (P<5.0 × 10−8); HLA-DRB1, PADI4, TNFAIP3 and CCR6. [16] Of these 13 RA-susceptible loci, HLA-DRB1 shared epitope (SE) have been reported to have impact on disease severity.[19]–[21] However, the question remains whether if the other RA-susceptible genes have significant impact on joint destruction. This evidence concerns the gene PTPN2 and rheumatoid arthritis.