RESUMO
The aim of the work is to investigate the possible association of polymorphism in the transforming growth factor beta-1 [TGF beta 1] gene with the disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis. The study was conducted on 50 patients with rheumatoid arthritis [group I] diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology [ACR]. They were divided according to the activity of the disease [Ritchieis articular index-RAI- and ESR] into: Active group [group A]: 29 RA patients with signs of activity [having RAI >/= 16 and ESR >/= 30 mm/h]. In-active group [group B]: 21 RA patients without signs of activity [having RAI