The present study is the first large investigation to evaluate the incidence of TB in patients receiving TNF inhibitors therapy for rheumatic diseases in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and one of the first in Brazil to evaluate the incidence of TB in such a large population (n = 5853) with different rheumatic conditions over such a long follow-up period, using real-life, population-based data. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and rheumatic disorder.