Objective. To assess the role of polymorphisms of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptors, TNF-RI (p55) and TNF-RII (p75) in the susceptibility to and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Dutch patients. Methods. A total of 319 consecutive RA patients, and a cohort of 90 female RA patients with detailed 12-yr follow-up were genotyped for the TNF-RI exon 1 (+ 36 A to G) and TNF-RII 3′ UTR (+ 1690 T to C) polymorphisms. Results. The frequencies of the TNF-RI and TNF-RII polymorphisms were determined in both patient groups and healthy controls, but no significant differences were found. To determine the relationship of these polymorphisms to disease severity, the extent of joint damage in the cohort of 90 female RA patients was analysed. No differences in severity were observed. Conclusion. These TNF-RI and TNF-RII polymorphisms were not found to be associated with susceptibility to or severity of RA in the Dutch population. Chemicals/CAS: adenine, 22177-51-1, 2922-28-3, 73-24-5; cytosine, 71-30-7; guanine, 69257-39-2, 73-40-5; protein p75, 91608-97-8; thymine, 65-71-4; Antigens, CD; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type I.