Dr Luk Ming Chi

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a common rheumatologic disease in Hong Kong, characterized by a chronic inflammatory joint disease caused by an abnormal autoimmune response. This inflammation can affect multiple joints throughout the body, leading to persistent erosion and deformity, eventually destroying joint structures. It not only causes severe pain but also significantly impacts the patient’s mobility, posing a threat to their health and reducing their quality of life.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the body's tissues and organs, leading to widespread inflammation and tissue damage.

Scleroderma is a rare autoimmune disease characterized by thickening and fibrosis of the skin and connective tissues. It involves the fibrosis and hardening of the skin and internal organs. This condition can be localized to the skin (localized scleroderma) or spread to internal organs such as the heart, lungs, and digestive tract (systemic sclerosis).

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by an autoimmune system dysfunction, primarily affecting the spine and sacroiliac joints, leading to arthritis and stiffness. Ankylosing spondylitis mainly affects young men, with most cases occurring in individuals between twenty and thirty.

Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis caused by the accumulation of urate crystals in the joints, characterized by sudden, severe joint pain and swelling. In Hong Kong, gout is a common rheumatic disease, affecting about 3 out of every 100 people.

Systemic vasculitis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the blood vessels, affecting blood flow and vessel structure. Inflamed vessels can narrow through wall thickening or develop cracks due to the inflammatory response, leading to serious health issues. Systemic vasculitis can be classified into large, medium, and small vessel vasculitis based on the size of the affected vessels.

Dermatomyositis and Polymyositis are two autoimmune diseases that primarily affect the muscles and skin. They belong to a group of rheumatic diseases known as myositis, where the immune system attacks the muscle tissue, causing inflammation and damage.

Sjögren's Syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and dysfunction of the glands, primarily affecting the salivary and tear glands, leading to dry mouth and dry eyes. Additionally, this disease can also impact the secretory glands of the upper respiratory tract, throat, vagina, and skin, resulting in dryness in these areas.