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


METHODS
Pulmonary function tests were performed in 26 SARS convalescent patients regularly every 3 months after their discharge from hospital. The significance of changes in pulmonary function indexes was analyzed.


RESULTS
Restrictive pulmonary ventilation function and diffusing dysfunction of the lung were found in one third of the patients during third to sixth month from onset. There was a little improvement in forced vital capacity (FVC), one second forced expiratory volume (FEV(1.0)), functional residual capacity (FRC) and residual volume (RV) as convalescent period was prolonged, but no difference was found between different stages (3-6 months, 6-9 months, 9-12 months, 12-15 months and 15-17 months). Meanwhile, the FEV(1.0)/FVC showed no significant change. However, there was an obvious improvement in total lung capacity (TLC) and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) with the elapse of time, and also a significant difference was found between the later stage and the earlier stage.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary dysfunction is found among some SARS patients after convalescence presenting mainly as restrictive ventilatory function and diffusing capacity abnormality. These dysfunctions would improve gradually with the elapse of time.
Zheng
Ze-guang
ZG
Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical College, Guangzhou 510120, Guangdong, China. zg263@tom.com
Chen
Rong-chang
RC
Wu
Hua
H
Liu
Xiao-qing
XQ
He
Wei-qun
WQ
Xu
Yuan-da
YD
Chen
Si-bei
SB
Li
Yi-min
YM
Zheng
Jin-ping
JP
Zhong
Nan-shan
NS
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014109:Total Lung Capacity; D055815:Young Adult