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Respiratory infection
Six month radiological and physiological outcomes in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) survivors
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  1. C K Ng1,
  2. J W M Chan1,
  3. T L Kwan2,
  4. T S To2,
  5. Y H Chan1,
  6. F Y Y Ng1,
  7. T Y W Mok3
  1. 1Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
  2. 2Department of Radiology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Hong Kong, China
  3. 3Respiratory Medical Department, Kowloon Hospital, Hong Kong, China
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr C K Ng
    Department of Medicine, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 30 Gascoigne Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong; nckz01netvigator.com

Abstract

Background: The long term physiological and radiological outcomes of SARS survivors and their possible determinants are uncertain.

Methods: SARS survivors in a follow up clinic in a regional hospital underwent high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the thorax and lung function tests 6 months after admission to hospital. The associations between the clinical and demographic data of the patients and the physiological and radiological outcomes were examined.

Results: Fifty seven patients took part in the study. Lung function abnormalities were detected in 43 patients (75.4%), with restrictive defects (n = 16) being most common (28.1%). Radiological abnormalities of any degree were detected in 43 patients (75.4%). Only the use of pulse corticosteroids was associated with the presence of CT abnormalities (p = 0.043, OR 6.65, 95% CI 1.06 to 41.73).

Conclusions: Physiological and radiological abnormalities are still present in a considerable proportion of SARS survivors at 6 months.

  • severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
  • pulmonary function test
  • computed tomography
  • outcome

https://doi.org/10.1136/thx.2004.023762

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