The Rheumatology Department of Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine was established in 1989. It is a key specialty under the "12th Five-Year Plan" of the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), a key discipline of "Traditional Chinese Medicine for Rheumatic Diseases" under the same administration,a key specialty of the Jiangsu Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is also a mastersdoctoral research unit for TCM Internal MedicineIntegrated TCMWestern Medicine at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine. The department serves as the chair unit of the Rheumatology Professional Committee of Jiangsu Province Society of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Department Scale
The department was founded by renowned experts in TCM, including Wang Lüqiou, Zhang Meijian, Jin Shi,Ma Yongzhen,has been developed through the hard work of several generations. The department has cultivated many famous doctorsscholars. Currently, it has 1 National Expert in TCM, 1 expert receiving special government allowances, 7 provincial renowned TCM doctors, 2 national excellent clinical TCM Professionals, 3 talents under Jiangsu "333 Project,"1 leading talent in TCM in Jiangsu Province. Current department head is Professor Lu Yan with a team including 15 attending doctors, 15 nurses, 4 doctoral advisors, and 7 masters advisors, forming a high-level, well-structured,highly skilled specialist team.
The department is equipped with 6 consultation rooms1 inpatient ward, offering 54 beds. It attracts patients from various provincescities, with over a third of the patients coming from outside Jiangsu Province. In 2024, the department treated over 110,000 outpatient visitsdischarged over 2,000 patients, achieving a business volumemedical capacity at the advanced level within Jiangsu Province.
Specialized Diseases DiagnosisTreatment
The department has developed stable research directions focused on four key diseases: rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögrens syndrome, ankylosing spondylitis,systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It has formed corresponding research teamsled the development of 9 TCM rheumatology treatment guidelines, 3 standard operating procedures for TCM techniques, published over 80 articles in national core journals, 18 SCI papers, authored 7 books,filed 6 national invention patents in the past three years.
Distinctive Advantages
The department has developed 6 in-house proprietary preparations, including Jinxueyuan Granules, Rebixiao Granules, Magui Wenbi Granules, Lupus Jing Granules, Qishen Bufei Formula,Wenshen Jianpi Dingji Formula. It also actively conducts specialized TCM treatments such as topical applications, fire acupuncture, gua sha,cupping therapy. In the treatment of severecomplicated rheumatic diseases, particularly severe SLE, connective tissue disease-related pulmonary interstitial lesions,myositis, the department has achieved remarkable results in both TCM and western medicine diagnosistreatment, receiving high praise from the patients.
AwardsHonors
In 2018, the department was awarded "Best Clinical Department""Best Research Department" by Asclepius China Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. It was also recognized as a "Core Unit of the National Key ResearchDevelopment Program”. In 2021, it ranked the 2nd in the "Yi Xin Tianxia / China Traditional Chinese Medicine Rheumatology Department" comprehensive strength ranking. In 2023, it was ranked the 4th in National Academic Influence Evaluation for TCM Rheumatology by Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. In the same year, it won the first prize in the Jiangsu Traditional Chinese Medicine ScienceTechnology Award. In 2024, it won the second prize in the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine ScienceTechnology Award.
The Rheumatology Department of Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine will continue to adhere to a patient-centered approach, focusing on clinical care and innovation as well as striving to build a nationally leading center for TCM rheumatology diagnosis, treatment,research.
