Division of Rheumatology
2024/06/14
The Division of Rheumatology provides tertiary outpatient and inpatient care to patients with autoimmune and musculoskeletal diseases. Recognised as a Centre of Excellence by the Asia Pacific League Against Rheumatism (APLAR), our aim is to deliver holistic patient care. We focus on achieving disease remission, preserving function and enhancing the quality of life for our patients. Our clinical services encompass general rheumatology, sub-specialty care, allergy and clinical immunology, supported by strong cross-disciplinary collaborations with Departments of Medicine, Oncology, Paediatrics and Obstetrics.
Our clinical faculty is actively involved in medical education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The division serves as a site for Rheumatology Senior Residency training in Singapore and offers clinical fellowships to aspiring rheumatologists in the Asia Pacific region.
In terms of research, the division is dedicated to translational and clinical studies, with a particular focus on systemic lupus erythematosus and inflammatory arthritis, involving local and international collaborations.
Head of Division & Senior Consultant
- Dr Aisha Lateef
- Dr Anita Lim
- Dr Lim Wei Wen Julian
- Dr Tang May Shuen
- Dr Jane Ong
- Dr Chong Kar Mun
- Dr Noreen Nasir
- Dr Yeo Chong Hsien
- Senior Staff Nurse Chong Siew Hwa
- Staff Nurse Ginny Goh
- Staff Nurse Chen Wenqi Faith
Allergy Nurses
- Senior Staff Nurse Serene Xu
- Senior Staff Nurse Sylvia Oh
Our specialist outpatient clinics operate daily at the Medicine Clinic at Medical Centre (Level 13). Patients receive support from our experienced nurse educators, clinic nurses and allied health staff. We also offer the following specialised services:
Outpatient Infusion Centre (OPIC) Since 2009, OPIC has provided specialised infusion medications for various medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune neuropathy and osteoporosis. Operated by specially trained nurses, the centre has conducted over 6000 infusions and supports all specialties in the Department of Medicine.
Rheumatology Ultrasound Clinic This weekly service offers dedicated musculoskeletal ultrasonography, aiding in the diagnosis of various inflammatory arthritis types such as rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthritis, crystal arthritis, and osteoarthritis.
Allied-health led clinics
- Immunotherapeutics Clinic
A pharmacist-led clinic monitoring patients on medications for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Medications include conventional antirheumatic drugs like methotrexate and azathioprine, as well as newer biologic therapies such as monoclonal antibodies. Our trained pharmacists closely monitor potential side effects and perform dose adjustment to optimise treatment efficacy for every patient.
2. Gout Telemedicine Virtual Monitoring Clinic (VMC)
A pharmacist-led clinic providing virtual care for patients with gout, enabling remote monitoring and medication delivery. Blood tests may be arranged at the hospital or at the patient’s nearest polyclinic, with medication delivered to the patient’s doorstep after consultation.
Dedicated to the assessment of various allergies and atopic disorders, the clinic offers comprehensive allergy testing and evaluations, including immunotherapy for drug allergies.
Focusing on patients with complicated osteoporosis or fragility fractures, the clinic provides comprehensive assessments and treatments.
Connective Tissue Disease/Interstitial Lung Disease (CTD/ILD) Clinic
This clinic specialises in care for patients with connective tissue diseases and interstitial lung disease, in collaboration with ILD respiratory physicians. Services include nailfold capillaroscopy.
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Patient Education and Support Groups
We are dedicated to providing our patients with the essential tools to manage their disease. We deliver public talks covering themes such as Bone Health and Arthritis. Click here for more information on the public health talks and events organised by NUH. Disease specific talks are conducted through collaboration with voluntary organisations, such as the Lupus Association of Singapore (LAS) and during commemorative events such as World Arthritis Day.
Our doctors, nurses and social workers facilitate Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis support groups in order to support patients and their families in the process of managing with their illness.
Public Outreach
Public awareness is key in the early detection of many conditions. Arthritis, for example, has a better outcome when treatment is initiated early. Recognising its early symptoms, knowing the available treatment options, including adjunctive interventions like physiotherapy and lifestyle measures, are crucial to enable patients to take charge of their joint health.
Our division conducts a public outreach campaign on a yearly basis coinciding with World Arthritis Day to equip the public with basic knowledge on arthritis and related conditions such as osteoporosis, gouty arthritis, exercise and diet.
Photo Gallery: https://www.facebook.com/NationalUniversityHospital/posts/10154820336792441
Our division is one of three accredited sites for Rheumatology specialty training in Singapore. We offer clinical fellowships to aspiring rheumatologists in the Asia Pacific region.
NUHS Internal Medicine Residents are also given the opportunity to run supervised Rheumatology outpatient clinics, as well as gain experience in inpatient clinical services.
Additionally, we organise education workshops, such as the Asia Pacific Rheumatology Practice Course for non-rheumatologists.
The Division of Rheumatology is actively involved in both clinical and basic science research, particularly in inflammatory arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. We participate in multiple clinical drug trials and clinical databases such as the Asia Pacific Lupus Collaboration (APLC), Singapore National Biologics Registry (SNBR), and others. Ongoing initiatives focus on quality improvement and value-driven outcomes in inflammatory arthritis and gout. The division is also the clinical lead for the National University of Singapore-Cambridge Cell Phenotyping Centre.
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