Professor Li Mengtao: Specialist in Lupus and Complex Autoimmune Disease
Professor Li Mengtao is Director of Rheumatology and Immunology at Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) in Beijing. He is a chief physician, doctoral supervisor, Distinguished Professor of the PUMCH Scholar Program, and Director of the Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Rheumatology and Immunology.
His clinical work focuses on systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, systemic vasculitis, systemic sclerosis, and pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with connective tissue disease.
For an overview of the hospital, its major specialties, and preparation for care, see our Peking Union Medical College Hospital international patient guide. Patients researching senior lupus specialists can also read our profile of Professor Zeng Xiaofeng.
Clinical Specialties
Professor Li’s principal areas include:
- systemic lupus erythematosus;
- Sjögren’s syndrome;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- spondyloarthritis;
- systemic vasculitis;
- systemic sclerosis, also known as scleroderma;
- connective tissue disease-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension; and
- severe, refractory, or multisystem autoimmune disease.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus, or SLE, is a chronic autoimmune disease that can affect several organs. Symptoms may include joint pain, skin rash, fatigue, fever, abnormal blood counts, kidney inflammation, lung disease, neurological problems, or vascular complications.
Professor Li has contributed to major Chinese lupus research programs, including studies of long-term outcomes and pulmonary arterial hypertension. His work also includes clinical guidance intended to improve diagnosis, assessment of disease activity, and treatment selection.
Patients with lupus often need more than a single laboratory result or antibody test. A specialist evaluates the symptom pattern, physical findings, organ involvement, imaging, pathology, and change over time before recommending treatment.
Connective Tissue Disease-Associated Pulmonary Hypertension
Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a serious complication in which pressure rises in the blood vessels carrying blood from the heart to the lungs. It can occur in systemic sclerosis, lupus, mixed connective tissue disease, and other autoimmune conditions.
Symptoms may include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest discomfort, dizziness, fainting, leg swelling, or reduced exercise capacity. Early symptoms can be subtle and may overlap with interstitial lung disease, anemia, heart disease, or deconditioning.
Professor Li’s academic work includes research based on the CSTAR-PAH cohort, which examines pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus. Assessment may involve echocardiography, lung-function testing, chest imaging, biomarkers, and right-heart catheterization when clinically appropriate.
Treatment depends on the underlying autoimmune disease, hemodynamic findings, disease severity, and other organ involvement. It may combine immunosuppressive treatment with pulmonary hypertension-targeted therapy under specialist supervision.
Sjögren’s Syndrome and Systemic Sclerosis
Sjögren’s syndrome is often associated with dry eyes and dry mouth, but it can also affect the lungs, kidneys, nerves, joints, blood, and other organs. Systemic sclerosis may cause skin thickening, Raynaud’s phenomenon, digestive problems, interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, or kidney complications.
A specialist review may be helpful when symptoms extend beyond dryness or skin changes, when lung function declines, or when the diagnosis remains uncertain. Evaluation may require antibody testing, salivary-gland assessment, lung imaging, pulmonary-function tests, and other organ-specific examinations.
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondyloarthritis, and Vasculitis
Rheumatoid arthritis can cause persistent inflammation, pain, stiffness, and progressive joint damage. Spondyloarthritis may affect the spine, sacroiliac joints, peripheral joints, eyes, skin, or digestive system. Vasculitis comprises several diseases involving inflammation of blood vessels and may affect almost any organ.
Professor Li evaluates complex cases in which symptoms do not fit a straightforward diagnosis, standard treatment has not worked, or medication side effects limit options. Treatment may include conventional disease-modifying medicines, biologic therapies, targeted medicines, or immunosuppressive agents, selected according to diagnosis and risk.
Research and Emerging Therapies
Professor Li has participated in national research programs addressing severe autoimmune disease. His recent academic work includes multidisciplinary investigation of cellular therapies for selected treatment-resistant autoimmune conditions and research into genetic susceptibility to lupus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Cellular therapy for autoimmune disease remains a specialized and evolving field. Published results from small or early studies do not mean a treatment is routinely available or appropriate for all patients. Eligibility, potential benefits, major risks, regulatory status, and long-term follow-up requirements must be reviewed by the treating medical team.
Who May Consider a Consultation?
A consultation with Professor Li or the PUMCH rheumatology team may be worth considering when a patient:
- has suspected lupus or another connective tissue disease without a clear diagnosis;
- has active disease despite standard treatment;
- has kidney, lung, vascular, neurological, or blood involvement;
- has shortness of breath or suspected pulmonary hypertension associated with autoimmune disease;
- has systemic sclerosis or Sjögren’s syndrome with organ complications;
- has experienced serious adverse effects from immunosuppressive treatment;
- needs a second opinion before advanced or long-term therapy; or
- has received conflicting diagnoses or treatment plans.
Medical Records to Prepare
International patients should prepare:
- a concise medical summary and chronological symptom history;
- previous rheumatology notes and discharge summaries;
- ANA, disease-specific antibodies, complement levels, and inflammatory markers;
- complete blood count, kidney and liver function, urinalysis, and urine protein results;
- echocardiography, right-heart catheterization, lung-function testing, and walking-test results when pulmonary hypertension is suspected;
- high-resolution chest CT and other relevant imaging in original format;
- kidney, skin, salivary gland, muscle, or other pathology reports when relevant;
- a complete list of current and previous medications, doses, duration, response, and side effects; and
- a clear list of questions for the specialist.
Historical records are useful because autoimmune disease activity and organ function must often be assessed as trends rather than from a single test.
Planning an International Consultation
Appointments with senior specialists may be limited. Before traveling, patients should confirm whether their records can be reviewed, whether an in-person examination is required, and which investigations may need to be repeated in Beijing.
Remote medical-record review is subject to the physician’s authorization. It may help determine the appropriate next step, but diagnosis and treatment decisions may still require an in-person consultation and multidisciplinary assessment.
How CMCS Can Assist
CMCS – China Medical Concierge Shanghai is an independent medical concierge and health management company, not a hospital. We assist international patients with organizing and translating medical records, identifying an appropriate specialist, requesting appointment availability, arranging interpretation, and planning medical travel in China.
Access to Professor Li, a remote review, or any specific therapy is subject to the doctor’s and hospital’s approval. CMCS does not guarantee appointments, treatment eligibility, or clinical outcomes.
For assistance, contact CMCS:
- Email: contract@medicalsh.com
- WhatsApp: Contact us on WhatsApp
- Website: www.medicalsh.com
Important Note
Doctor titles, clinical roles, research activities, treatment availability, and appointment arrangements may change. Patients should confirm current information before travel. This profile is based on publicly available hospital and academic sources and is provided for general information only. It is not individual medical advice and does not replace assessment by a qualified physician.
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