[Assessment of pulmonary function in SARS patients during the convalescent period].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the pulmonary function in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients during the convalescent period.


METHODS
Followup 89 outpatients of SARS. The follow-up study included interview, physical examination, and pulmonary function test.


RESULTS
The interval between hospital discharge and functional assessment was 1.75 +/- 0.53 months (0.5-3.4 months). Mild to moderate abnormalities in pulmonary function were found in 48 patients (53.9%). Diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) was impaired in 38 patients (42.7%); in 7 patients (7.9%), lung function was restrictive defect combined DLco impairment; Other patterns of impairment were revealed in 3 patient. Dyspnea during acute phase and CT during the convalescent period were found to have significant influences on DLco and total lung capacity (TLC).


CONCLUSIONS
Diffusing capacity impairment as well as restrictive defect persist in convalescence SARS.
Peng
Min
M
Department of Respiratory Diseases, PUMC Hospital, CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Cai
Bai-qiang
BQ
Liu
Tao
T
Ma
Yi
Y
Xu
Wen-bing
WB
Cao
Bin
B
Shi
Ju-hong
JH
Han
Jiang-na
JN
Zhang
Wei-hong
WH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003289:Convalescence; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*