The objective of the present study was to explore the associations between calprotectin, S100A12, IL-6, VEGF, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein and a comprehensive US assessment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) starting biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARD) treatment. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is rheumatoid arthritis.