Objective: To investigate the prescription experiences of professor ZHOU Zhong-ying in treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on complex networks analysis. Method: Totally 166 RA cases (845 encounters) were selected as the clinical cases

and their diagnosis and treatment information was transformed into structured electronic medical record system.Then the complex network method was used with ‘Prestigious Traditional Chinese Medicine Specialists Clinical Information Collection System’

to dig out the core herbs and prescription rules of professor ZHOU Zhong-ying for treating RA. Result: The core herbs used by professor ZHOU Zhong-ying for RA included Sinomenii Caulis

Rehmanniae Radix

Astragali Radix

Euonymus Alatus

Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix

Paeoniae Radix Rubra

Bombyx Batryticatus

Scorpio

Arisaema Cum Bile

Cinnamomi Ramulus

Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex

etc. The main therapy for RA was based on dispelling wind and eliminating dampness

clearing heat and dredging collaterals

warming channel and expelling cold

dissipating phlegm and removing blood stasis

strengthening the body resistance and tonifying deficiency. Conclusion: The results of complex network analysis fully reflected professor ZHOU Zhong-ying's clinical perceive of pathogenesis

syndrome differentiation and medication features of RA.