Under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） theory

combined with modern medicine’s understanding of rheumatoid arthritis（RA） physiology and pathology

through clinical practice

literature search

and the preliminary research of the authors′ research group

this paper systematically combed the hypothesis reason

theoretical essence

theoretical extension and clinical application of "dampness-heat-stasis" theory

and elaborated the pathogenesis theory of RA "dampness-heat-stasis". It is considered that dampness

heat and blood stasis are the cause and effect of each other throughout the pathogenesis of RA. It is suggested that the treatment of RA should be based on clearing away heat and dampness

promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis

and the stomach should be taken good cared all the treatment course. The core pathogenesis of "dampness-heat-stasis" should not be ignored in the process of syndrome differentiation.