Replicated MR analysis confirmed the connection between IL6 and risk of RA (IVW mode effect=0.003, 95%CI 0.007 to 0.011, p=1.98E-04) or AS (IVW mode effect=0.0039, 95%CI 0.0019 to 0.0059, p=1.51E-04). This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and rheumatoid arthritis.