Six month radiological and physiological outcomes in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) survivors

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.