VEGFA and systemic lupus erythematosus: In a study of three patients with RS3PE, Arima et al. reported an association with serum VEGF levels, with a mean increase of 2,223.3 pg/ml, relative to other connective tissue disorders (such as RA, systemic lupus erythematosus, mixed connective tissue disease, polymyositis, dermatomyositis), suggesting that RS3PE can be classified as a VEGF-associated disorder, which can lead to edema [7].