BMI, body mass index; CCA, common carotid artery; CRP, C-reactive protein; DAS28, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints; ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HOMA-IR, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance; IL, interleukin; IMT, intima-media thickness; L:A ratio, leptin:adiponectin ratio; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; RA, rheumatoid arthritis; RI, resistive index; SBP, systolic blood pressure; TNFα, tumor necrosis factor alpha. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.