Division of Rheumatology
Head of Division: Professor Edmund KM Li
Members:
Dr. Lai Shan Tam, Dr. Kong Chiu Wong
Research Assistants:
Ms. Wai Ching Li , Ms Tena Li
Research Interests:
1.	Oxidative stress in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
2.	Effects of lupus treatment on risk factors for atherosclerosis
3.	New therapies for lupus nephritis and its effects on cytokines expression
4.	Human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical dysplasia in SLE
5.	Pulmonary hypertension in SLE
6.	Therapies in rheumatoid arthritis (RA): traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and new biololgic agents, and cytokine expressions
7.	Pharmacoeconomics in rheumatoid arthritis
8.	Periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis
9.	New therapies in ankylosing spondylitis
10.	Disability in patients with ankylosing spondylits
11.	Genetics in rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus
Selected Publications:
1.	Tam, L. S., Li E. K., Lam C.W.K., Tomlinson B. Hydroxychloroquine Has No Significant Effect on Lipids and Apolipoproteins in Chinese SLE Patients with Mild or Inactive Disease. Lupus 2000; 9: 413-416
2.	Wong, C. K., Li E. K., Ho C. Y., Lam C.W.K. "Elevation of Plasma Interleukin-18 Concentration Is Correlated with Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus." Rheuma 2000:39 1078-1081
3.	Tam LS, Li EK, Wong SM, Szeto CC. Risk factors and clinical features for tuberculosis among patients with systemic lupus erythematosus in Hong Kong. Scand J. Rheum: 2002; 31:296-300
4.	Chan WM, Li EKM, Chan AY K, Lam DSC. Bilateral serous retinal detachment as the earliest presenting sign in a young woman. Lancet; 2003; 361:2044
5.	Tam LS, Fan B, Li EK, Thomas GN, Yim SF, Haines CJ, Tomlinson B. Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus show increased platelet activation and endothelial dysfunction induced by acute hyperhomocysteinemia. J Rheuma 2003; 30 : 1479-84
6.	Ho C Y, Wong C K, Li EK, Tam L S, Lam CWK. Suppressive effect of combination treatment of leflunomide and methotrexate on chemokine expression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Exp Immunol. 2003, 133:132-8
7.	Tam LS, Li EK, Szeto CC, Lai FM, Chan YK. Mesangial lupus nephritis in Chinese is associated with a high rate of transformation to higher grade nephritis. Lupus 2003: 12:665-671
8.	Chan YK, Li EK, Tam LS, Chow LTC, Ng HK. Intravenous cyclophosphamide improves cardiac dysfunction in lupus myocarditis. Scand J Rheuma 2003; 32:306-308
9.	Li EK, Tam LS, Tomlinson B. Leflunomide for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Therapeutics. 2004 : 26:447-459
10.	Tam LS, Li EK, Wong CK, Lam CWK, Szeto CC. Double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled pilot study of leflunomide in systemic lupus erythematosus. Lupus 2004: 13:601-604
11.	Tam LS, Chan AYK, Chan PKS, AR Chang, Li EK. Higher prevalence of squamous intraepithelial lesion in systemic lupus erythematosus - association with human papillomavirus infection. Arthritis Rheum: 2004; 50:3619-3625
12.	Tam LS, Li EK , Leung VYF, Griffith JF, Benzie IFF, Lim PL, Whitney B, Lee VWY, Lee KKC, Thomas GN Tomlinson B. The effects of vitamin C and E on oxidative stress markers and endothelial function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. J Rheum: 2005 32:275-82
13.	Chan AY, Li E. Electric shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) as a pain control measure in dermatomyositis with calcinosis cutis-old method, new discovery. Clin Rheum. 2004; 24:172-3
14.	Wong C., Lit, Lydia, Li E, Tam L. Lam C. Elevation of plasma osteopontin concentration is correlated with disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheum. 2005; 44: 602-606
15.	Wong CK, Lit L.C.W, Tam L.S, Li EK, Lam C.W.K Aberrant production of soluble costimulatory molecules CTLA-4, CD28, CD80 and CD86 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Rheum: 2005 ;44:989-94
16.	Tam LS, Li EK, Wong CK, Lam CWK, Sezto CC. Safety and efficacy of leflunomide in the treatment of lupus nephritis refractory or intolerant to traditional immunosuppressive therapy: an open-label trial. Ann Rheum Dis: in press