Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy
The division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy (RIA) is the latest and established subspecialty in the Department of Internal Medicine. The progression of autoimmune or rheumatic disease can usually affect the whole body with multiple different manifestations. The division of RIA may be divided into three parts including rheumatism, autoimmune diseases, and allergic diseases.
Numerous clinical signs and symptoms are usually found among these patients with autoimmune diseases, and misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis may be observed. The division of RIA was established in Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital by Professor Deng-Ho Yang in response to the increasing need for diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune or rheumatic diseases since 2009.
The development of RIA improves the overall medical quality of the Internal Medicine Department at Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital, enabling the hospital to become a guardian of military and civilian health.
- Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases: Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, Sjogren’s syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease.
- Seronegative Spondylitis: Ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory enteritis.
- Crystalline Arthritis: Gout, pseudogout.
- Soft Tissue Rheumatism: Myofascial pain, tendinitis, synovitis, fibromyalgia, paroxysmal rheumatism.
- Infections: Septic arthritis, cellulitis.
- Vasculitis: Cutaneous vasculitis, systemic vasculitis, Behcet’s disease, cryoglobulinemia.
- Allergy-Related Diseases: Allergic rhinitis, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, drug allergy, food allergy.
- Other: Autoimmune diseases and steroid-related osteoporosis.
The studies include rheumatoid factor, ANA, serum complement, acute inflammatory response protein (CRP/ESR), immunoglobulin, anti-dsDNA, ANCA , anti-phospholipid antibodis, ENA antibodies, joint fluid analysis, specific allergen serum examination, skeletal muscle ultrasound.
- Autoimmune Connective Tissue Diseases: Systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, polymyositis/dermatomyositis, Sjogren’s syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease.
- Seronegative Spondylitis: Ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, inflammatory enteritis.
- Crystalline Arthritis: Gout, pseudogout.
- Soft Tissue Rheumatism: Myofascial pain, tendinitis, synovitis, fibromyalgia, paroxysmal rheumatism.
- Infections: Septic arthritis, cellulitis.
- Vasculitis: Cutaneous vasculitis, systemic vasculitis, Behcet’s disease, cryoglobulinemia.
- Allergy-Related Diseases: Allergic rhinitis, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, drug allergy, food allergy.
- Other: Autoimmune diseases and steroid-related osteoporosis.
The studies include rheumatoid factor, ANA, serum complement, acute inflammatory response protein (CRP/ESR), immunoglobulin, anti-dsDNA, ANCA , anti-phospholipid antibodis, ENA antibodies, joint fluid analysis, specific allergen serum examination, skeletal muscle ultrasound.