title: Psychiatric complications in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) during the acute treatment phase: a series of 10 cases.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Kwai Chung Hospital, Hong Kong. sammykcheng@cuhk.edu.hk
authors.forename: Sammy Kin-Wing
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Jenny Suk-Kwan
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Tsang
authors.forename: Kwok-Hung
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Ku
authors.forename: Chee-Wing
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Yin-Kwok
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids