Moreover, RA-associated DMRs were simultaneously identified in the functional regions of 44/94 genes, including ERICH1, SPAG1, ZNF718, AHRR, EEPD1, ARHGAP39, TBCD, HIVEP3, CSGALNACT1, CCDC144A, SLC6A18, KCNN3, SDK1, CDHR3, MYOM2, STK32C, LRRC27, LSP1, CBFA2T3, RPH3AL, LDLRAD4, FCER2, MYO18B and a group of genes from the clustered protocadherin family. Here, SPAG1 is linked to rheumatoid arthritis.