Hong Kong Med J 2009;15(Suppl 8):S21-3
Long-term sequelae of SARS: physical, neuropsychiatric, and quality-of-life assessment
DSC Hui, KT Wong, GE Antonio, M Tong, DP Chan, JJY Sung
Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong
1. Impairment of lung diffusing capacity persisted in 24% of SARS survivors; their exercise capacity and health status were markedly lower than the general population at 1 year after illness onset.
2. There was no difference in lung function indices, exercise capacity, and health status at 1 year between the intubated and non-intubated SARS patients admitted to the intensive care unit, although the former had more severe lung injury.
3. The functional disability in SARS survivors appears out of proportion to the degree of lung function impairment and may be due to additional factors such as muscle deconditioning, steroid-related musculoskeletal complications, critical illness-related neuropathy/myopathy, and/or psychological factors.
2. There was no difference in lung function indices, exercise capacity, and health status at 1 year between the intubated and non-intubated SARS patients admitted to the intensive care unit, although the former had more severe lung injury.
3. The functional disability in SARS survivors appears out of proportion to the degree of lung function impairment and may be due to additional factors such as muscle deconditioning, steroid-related musculoskeletal complications, critical illness-related neuropathy/myopathy, and/or psychological factors.