VEGFA and systemic lupus erythematosus: Additionally, circulating VEGF was higher in active SLE than in inactive SLE (SMD 0.80, 95%CI 0.02–1.59, P = 0.0454) (Figure 2B-i), serum VEGF levels remained remarkable higher in active SLE than in inactive SLE (SMD 0.51, 95% CI 0.33–0.70, P <0.0001) (Figure 2B-ii), whereas serum VEGF levels were significantly higher in SLE with renal involvement than that without renal involvement (SMD 1.43, 95% CI 0.58–2.28, P = 0.0010) (Figure 2C).