In agreement with our findings, the association between inflammatory marker levels, such as CRP and IL-6, with ECG abnormalities has been previously described in patients with RA.28–31 Other studies have suggested a CV protective effect for medications such as hydroxychloroquine, methotrexate and antitumour necrosis factor inhibitors;32–34 however, we did not find these associations in our study. The gene discussed is IL6; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.