The Rheumatology Research Unit of SUMC was established in 1983. As one of the frontrunners in China, it has been actively engaged in scientific research, clinical practice, and teaching in the field of rheumatology.

Through close cooperation with SUMC's affiliated hospitals and our fellow departments in the Medical College, ten thousands of patient case files on ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, osteoarthritis, and other related diseases have been accumulated and extensively studied in our unit. Over the years, we have performed several important rheumatology studies, including studies on epidemiological aspects of rheumatic diseases in China and clinical studies in ankylosing spondylitis (AS), resulting in over 200 research articles including publications in high-impact academic journals such as Lancet, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Journal of Rheumatology, and several contributions to key hand books.

In addition, we are responsible for master degree and PhD programs in rheumatology at SUMC. Among our graduates are many leading rheumatologists with key positions in hospitals and rheumatology associations across the country. For our academic contributions in the field of rheumatology, we have been granted several awards.

The Rheumatology Research Unit currently consists of three professors and three associate professors. The founder and director of the unit, Professor Qing-yu Zeng, is a widely respected expert in the field of rheumatology. He has been awarded as an Outstanding Scholar by the State Ministry of Education, and he is a member of the editorial committees of several top Chinese medical journals.