HLA-DRB1 and rheumatoid arthritis: Multiple factors interact in a genetically susceptible host and studies had shown that HLA-DRB1 is known to be associated with genetic susceptibility and increased disease severity.5 Anaemia is quite common in RA both in early as well as long-standing disease; anaemia of chronic disease is the most common cause with peripheral smear showing normochromic normocytic anaemia.6 The underlying degree of inflammation associated with RA usually correlates proportionally with the severity of anaemia and serum levels of the acute phase reactants.