Meta-regression and subgroup analysis of studies investigating VEGF concentrations in SSc patients and controls showed non-significant associations between the effect size of the reported differences and various patient and study characteristics, particularly mean SSc duration and use of established, e.g., immunosuppressors and vasodilators (88), and less common, e.g. corticosteroids (89), treatments. This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and systemic sclerosis.