In the subgroup analysis, TNF-α-308A allele played apathogenic role for RA in Latin Americans (A vs G: OR=1.46,95%CI=1.15–1.84, P=0.002) and for SLE in Latin Americans (A vsG: OR=2.12, 95%CI=1.32–3.41, P=0.002) and Europeans (A vs G:OR=2.03, 95%CI=1.56–2.63, P<0.001), while it played a protective role for RAin Asians (A vs G: OR=0.54, 95%CI=0.32–0.90, P=0.017). Here, TNF is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.