The expression of IL18RAP measured in whole blood showed correlation with the change in ESR between baseline and 6-month follow-up (r=−0.35; p=0.0091) in patients with RA treated with methotrexate-based combination DMARD therapy (figure 3C); specifically each unit increase in IL18RAP RLE resulted in a 13.4 mm/hour decrease in ESR between baseline and 6 months. Here, IL18RAP is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.