To characterize the long-term pulmonary function and health status in a prospectively identified cohort of patients who survived the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Design
Prospective follow-up cohort study.
Setting
University-affiliated hospital.
Patients
Ninety-four patients who recovered from SARS were assessed at a uniform time point of 1 year after hospital discharge.
Measurements
The study included the measurement of static and dynamic lung volumes, the determination of the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco), and a health status evaluation using the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).
Results
Eleven patients (12%) had mild impairment of FVC, 20 (21%) had mild impairment of FEV1, 5 (5%) had mild impairment of the FEV1/FVC ratio, and 17 (18%) had mild impairment of the Dlco. There was one patient (1%) who had moderate impairment of FVC, one patient (1%) who had moderate impairment of the FEV1/FVC ratio, and three patients (3%) who had moderate impairment of the Dlco. No pulmonary function abnormalities were detected in 59 patients (63%). Mean scores were significantly higher (ie, worse) than the population norms in the activity (p < 0.001), impacts (p < 0.001), and total (p < 0.001) domains of the SGRQ.
Conclusions
One year after recovery from SARS, persistent pulmonary function impairment was found in about one third of patients. The health status of SARS survivors was also significantly worse compared with the healthy population. The main determinants of morbidity in recovered SARS patients need to be further defined.
Key words
follow-up studies
outcome assessment
pneumonia
respiratory impairment
Abbrevationss
ATS
American Thoracic Society
CoV
coronavirus
Dlco
diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide
Fio2
fraction of inspired oxygen
LDH
lactate dehydrogenase
SARS
severe acute respiratory syndrome
SGRQ
St. George respiratory questionnaire
TLC
total lung capacity
Cited by (0)
This study was supported by a grant from the A*STAR Biomedical Research Council.