HLA-DPB1 and rheumatoid arthritis: Specifically, HLA-DPB1 rs9277535 polymorphisms were associated with reduced risk of RA in women, in CRP-positive and RF-positive individuals, and in those with DAS28 ≥ 3.20 or ESR ≥ 25, demonstrating that Chinese individuals exhibiting these characteristics are less prone to RA.