We conducted a controlled comparative study of treatment-naïve newly diagnosed RA patients commenced on subcutaneous methotrexate (Group 1, n = 31, age 57 ± 15 years, 65% females, Disease Activity Score-28 – C-reactive protein, DAS28-CRP = 4.7 ± 1.2) or the DMARD comparator sulfasalazine (Group 2, n = 31, 54 ± 17 years, 61% females, DAS28-CRP = 5.0 ± 0.8). This evidence concerns the gene CRP and rheumatoid arthritis.