The first reported significant circulating VEGF elevations in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (SMD = 1.48, 95% CI 0.82 to 2.15, p < 0.0001) and systemic sclerosis (SMD = 0.56, 95% CI 0.36 to 0.75, p < 0.0001) when compared to healthy subjects [78]. This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and systemic sclerosis.