RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Six month radiological and physiological outcomes in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) survivors
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 889
OP 891
DO 10.1136/thx.2004.023762
VO 59
IS 10
A1 C K Ng
A1 J W M Chan
A1 T L Kwan
A1 T S To
A1 Y H Chan
A1 F Y Y Ng
A1 T Y W Mok
YR 2004
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/59/10/889.abstract
AB 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.