Although serum IL-6 levels also decreased significantly (873.9 pg/ml, IQR 470.2–2545.1 pg/ml vs. 752.9 pg/ml, IQR 373.9–1163.0 pg/ml, p < 0.005) in patients with RA receiving IL-6R inhibitor, serum IL-6 levels did not show significant changes in those receiving TNF-α inhibitors (median 1342.3 pg/ml, IQR 462.5–2869.7 pg/ml vs. 1044.8 pg/ml, IQR 428.4–1801.1 pg/ml, p = 0.277) or csDMARDs alone (median 799.9 pg/ml, IQR 449.2–1887.9 pg/ml vs. 223.3 pg/ml, IQR 121.0–1042.3 pg/ml, p = 0.128) (Fig. 4d, e). Here, IL6R is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.