However, after adjustment for age, sex, abdominal circumference, hypertension, diabetes, the use of statins (Model #1 in Fig. 1-B), and disease duration, ESR, ACPA positivity and the utilization of NSAIDs and hydroxychloroquine (Model #2 in Fig. 1-B), a higher frequency of significant relations between the complement system and carotid plaque were found. This evidence concerns the gene PRTN3 and hypertensive disorder.