Moreover, it has to be mentioned that the study populations also differ since our study aimed at very early, cs- and bDMARD naïve RA patients as compared to patients with a diagnosis of RA for at least 6 months in the study by Beals et al. However, both studies support the assumption of a positive effect of TNF-α-inhibitors on cartilage integrity in RA. This evidence concerns the gene TNF and rheumatoid arthritis.