Objective: To analyze the lung function and radiological changes in rehabilitating severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients of medical staff in Beijing.
Methods: Follow-up lung function tests and chest high-resolution computerized tomography (HRCT) were performed in medical staff with SARS from Dec. 2003 to Feb. 2004.
Results: Thirty-one (7.64%) of 406 patients showed abnormal ventilatory function, while 165 of 404 patients showed diffusing abnormality. Of the 434 patients who had received HRCT scans, 151 (34.79%) showed abnormalities including subpleural and basal ground-glass and reticular attenuation, nodular septal thickening and bronchiectasis. Of the 395 patients who had received both lung function test and HRCT scanning, 55 (13.92%) had abnormalities both in the lung function and HRCT. The decrease in diffusing capacity in patients with HRCT changes was more significant than those without HRCT changes.
Conclusions: Lung function and lung imaging were abnormal in some patients with SARS after recovery. It is suggested that the lung damage is chronic, and follow-up is needed.