Psychiatric complications in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) during the acute treatment phase: a series of 10 cases.
In February 2003, Hong Kong was hit by a community-wide outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). During the period of the outbreak, 10 patients with SARS with psychiatric complications were referred to our Consultation and Liaison Psychiatry Team for assessment and management. We found that both the direct and indirect effects of SARS such as symptom severity, total isolation during treatment and administration of steroid were probable causes of psychiatric complications. In this paper, we report on the nature of their psychiatric problems, challenges to management and psychiatric treatment strategies used during the acute phase.
Cheng
Sammy Kin-Wing
SK
Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong. sammykcheng@cuhk.edu.hk
Tsang
Jenny Suk-Kwan
JS
Ku
Kwok-Hung
KH
Wong
Chee-Wing
CW
Ng
Yin-Kwok
YK
D000275:Adjustment Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D013256:Steroids / Q000009:adverse effects
D013256:Steroids