We performed meta-regression analysis and evaluated (1) study location (Western countries vs. Asian countries), (2) sample sizes (>100 vs. ≤100), and (3) different proportions of DM patients in original studies of the following variables that exhibit significant statistically heterogeneity: dysphagia, ILD, ESR, CK, AST, LDH. Here, ESR1 is linked to interstitial lung disease.