China's Leading Center for Autoimmune & Inflammatory Disease
The Department of Rheumatology at Ruijin Hospital — affiliated with Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine — is one of China's most distinguished and research-active rheumatology centers, with a national and international reputation for excellence in the diagnosis and management of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. From rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus to rare connective tissue diseases and vasculitis, the department offers comprehensive, evidence-based care delivered by some of China's most eminent rheumatologists.
For international patients with complex autoimmune conditions who are seeking expert diagnosis, second opinion, or access to the latest biologic and targeted therapies, Ruijin Hospital's rheumatology department represents one of the most compelling destinations in Asia. China Medical Concierge Shanghai (CMCS) provides seamless end-to-end coordination for international patients throughout their care journey.
About the Department
Ruijin Hospital's rheumatology department is a national key clinical specialty with a long history of clinical excellence and research innovation. The department operates dedicated inpatient rheumatology wards, subspecialty outpatient clinics for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, spondyloarthropathy, myositis, vasculitis, and connective tissue disease, as well as a dedicated biologics infusion center and a comprehensive autoimmune laboratory.
The department's autoimmune laboratory provides the full range of serological testing including ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, anti-Ro/La, anti-Scl-70, anti-Jo-1, ANCA, anti-CCP, RF, complement levels, and extended myositis antibody panels — enabling precise diagnosis of complex autoimmune conditions that require sophisticated serological workup. Faculty members publish regularly in leading rheumatology journals including Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Arthritis & Rheumatology, Rheumatology, and Journal of Autoimmunity.
Conditions Treated
- Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) — Early and established RA; treat-to-target strategies with conventional DMARDs, biologic DMARDs (TNF inhibitors, IL-6 inhibitors, abatacept, rituximab), and JAK inhibitors (tofacitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib)
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) — Mild to severe and organ-threatening lupus; hydroxychloroquine, immunosuppression, belimumab, anifrolumab, and voclosporin for lupus nephritis
- Lupus Nephritis — Multidisciplinary management with nephrology; mycophenolate, cyclophosphamide, voclosporin, and belimumab combinations
- Ankylosing Spondylitis & Axial Spondyloarthropathy — NSAIDs, TNF inhibitors, IL-17 inhibitors (secukinumab, ixekizumab), and IL-23 inhibitors
- Psoriatic Arthritis — Integrated joint and skin management; biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs
- Sjögren's Syndrome — Sicca symptom management; systemic disease treatment; emerging therapies including ianalumab and iscalimab
- Systemic Sclerosis (Scleroderma) — Organ-based management including nintedanib for ILD, bosentan for pulmonary hypertension, and immunosuppression for skin and organ fibrosis
- Inflammatory Myopathies — Polymyositis, dermatomyositis, anti-synthetase syndrome, and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy; myositis antibody panel-guided therapy
- ANCA-Associated Vasculitis — GPA, MPA, and EGPA; rituximab and cyclophosphamide induction; avacopan for complement-mediated disease
- Giant Cell Arteritis & Polymyalgia Rheumatica — Corticosteroids and tocilizumab for GCA; rapid diagnosis and treatment to prevent vision loss
- Behçet's Disease — Colchicine, immunosuppression, and biologic therapy for refractory disease
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome — Anticoagulation management and novel therapies for refractory cases
- Adult-Onset Still's Disease (AOSD) — IL-1 inhibitors (anakinra, canakinumab) and IL-6 inhibitors for refractory disease
- Gout & Crystal Arthropathies — Urate-lowering therapy optimization; IL-1 inhibitors for refractory gout flares
- Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease — Diagnosis, monitoring, and early intervention for evolving autoimmune conditions
- Immune-Related Adverse Events (irAEs) — Management of autoimmune complications from cancer immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors)
Leading Specialists
Prof. Bao Chunde (鲍春德) — Former Director, Rheumatology
Prof. Bao Chunde is one of China's most eminent rheumatologists and a nationally recognized authority in systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and connective tissue disease. As former Director of the Department of Rheumatology at Ruijin Hospital, Prof. Bao built the department into one of China's premier rheumatology centers over decades of clinical leadership and academic contribution. He has been a key contributor to national rheumatology guidelines and has trained generations of rheumatologists across China. His clinical expertise in complex lupus and connective tissue disease management is widely recognized, and he continues to be involved in clinical practice and mentorship at Ruijin Hospital.
Prof. Zheng Jie (郑捷) — Dermatology & Autoimmune Skin Disease
Prof. Zheng Jie is a nationally recognized authority in autoimmune skin diseases, with particular expertise in pemphigus, bullous pemphigoid, and other blistering disorders, as well as the cutaneous manifestations of systemic autoimmune diseases including lupus and dermatomyositis. As a leader in both dermatology and rheumatology at Ruijin Hospital, Prof. Zheng provides expert integrated management for patients with overlapping skin and systemic autoimmune disease. Her research on autoimmune blistering diseases has been published in leading dermatology and immunology journals, and she has been instrumental in establishing evidence-based treatment protocols for these rare and challenging conditions in China.
Prof. Shen Nan (沈南) — Lupus & Autoimmunity Research
Prof. Shen Nan is one of China's leading lupus researchers and a globally recognized authority in the immunopathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus. His laboratory has made fundamental contributions to the understanding of lupus genetics, epigenetics, and the role of non-coding RNAs in autoimmune disease — with landmark publications in Nature, Nature Immunology, and Arthritis & Rheumatology. Prof. Shen's translational research program bridges basic immunology discoveries to clinical applications, and his clinical program provides expert care for patients with complex and refractory lupus.
Biologics & Advanced Therapies
Ruijin's rheumatology department has extensive experience with the full range of approved biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs, and is one of China's leading centers for the use of novel therapies in autoimmune disease:
Approved Biologic DMARDs
- TNF Inhibitors — Adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab, certolizumab, golimumab for RA, AS, PsA
- IL-6 Inhibitors — Tocilizumab, sarilumab for RA, GCA, AOSD, and cytokine release syndrome
- IL-17 Inhibitors — Secukinumab, ixekizumab for AS, PsA, and nr-axSpA
- IL-23 Inhibitors — Guselkumab, risankizumab for PsA
- IL-1 Inhibitors — Anakinra, canakinumab for AOSD, gout, and autoinflammatory conditions
- B-Cell Depletion — Rituximab for RA, ANCA vasculitis, myositis, and refractory lupus
- T-Cell Co-stimulation Blockade — Abatacept for RA and lupus nephritis
- BLyS Inhibition — Belimumab for SLE and lupus nephritis
- Type I Interferon Blockade — Anifrolumab for moderate-to-severe SLE
- Complement Inhibition — Avacopan for ANCA-associated vasculitis
Targeted Synthetic DMARDs
- JAK Inhibitors — Tofacitinib, baricitinib, upadacitinib, filgotinib for RA, AS, PsA, and other inflammatory conditions
- Calcineurin Inhibitors — Tacrolimus and cyclosporine for lupus nephritis and myositis
- Voclosporin — Novel calcineurin inhibitor for lupus nephritis
Autoimmune Laboratory
Ruijin's comprehensive autoimmune laboratory provides the full range of serological and immunological testing required for precise autoimmune disease diagnosis and monitoring:
- ANA, anti-dsDNA, anti-Sm, anti-Ro/La, anti-Scl-70, anti-centromere, anti-Jo-1, and extended myositis antibody panels (anti-MDA5, anti-TIF1γ, anti-NXP2, anti-SAE1, anti-Mi-2)
- ANCA (PR3 and MPO) for vasculitis diagnosis
- Anti-CCP and RF for RA diagnosis and monitoring
- Complement levels (C3, C4, CH50) for lupus activity monitoring
- Antiphospholipid antibodies (aCL, anti-β2GPI, lupus anticoagulant)
- HLA-B27 for spondyloarthropathy diagnosis
- Cytokine panels for autoinflammatory disease evaluation
Why International Patients Choose Ruijin Rheumatology
- National Leadership — One of China's premier rheumatology centers with decades of clinical excellence and research innovation
- Lupus Expertise — World-class lupus research and clinical program led by Prof. Shen Nan, with access to the latest approved therapies including anifrolumab and voclosporin
- Full Biologic Portfolio — Experience with all approved biologic and targeted synthetic DMARDs across all major rheumatic diseases
- Autoimmune Skin Disease — Unique integrated expertise in autoimmune blistering diseases and cutaneous lupus through Prof. Zheng Jie
- irAE Management — Specialist expertise in immune-related adverse events from cancer immunotherapy
- Cost-Effectiveness — World-class rheumatology care at significantly lower cost than equivalent treatment in Western countries
The CMCS Patient Journey
- Initial Inquiry — Share your rheumatology history, autoimmune blood test results, imaging, biopsy reports, and current medications with CMCS.
- Medical Record Preparation — We translate and organize your records for specialist pre-consultation review.
- Specialist Matching — We identify the most appropriate rheumatologist based on your specific condition — lupus, RA, vasculitis, myositis, or connective tissue disease.
- Priority Scheduling — We secure a consultation with minimal waiting time.
- Travel & Logistics — Assistance with visa invitation letters, accommodation near Ruijin Hospital, and Shanghai airport transfers.
- On-Site Concierge — Bilingual coordinators accompany you throughout your hospital visits, managing registration, translation, and communication.
- Treatment Coordination — Full coordination of autoimmune laboratory testing, imaging, biologic infusion scheduling, and biopsy procedures.
- Post-Treatment Follow-Up — Lab result translation, treatment plan interpretation, and remote follow-up coordination after you return home.
Book a Consultation
If you are seeking expert rheumatology care in Shanghai — whether for lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, vasculitis, myositis, scleroderma, or another autoimmune condition — CMCS can arrange a specialist consultation with Ruijin Hospital's rheumatology team.
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