In the overall population, the TNF-α-238A allele wasobserved to be a protective factor for RA (A vs G: OR=0.75,95%CI=0.57–0.99, P=0.040) and the TNF-α-308A allele was foundto be a risk factor for SLE (A vs G: OR=1.78, 95%CI=1.45–2.19,P<0.001). The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is systemic lupus erythematosus.