title: 1-year pulmonary function and health status in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the long-term pulmonary function and health status in a prospectively identified cohort of patients who survived the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective follow-up cohort study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-affiliated hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-four patients who recovered from SARS were assessed at a uniform time point of 1 year after hospital discharge.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included the measurement of static and dynamic lung volumes, the determination of the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D(LCO)), and a health status evaluation using the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven patients (12%) had mild impairment of FVC, 20 (21%) had mild impairment of FEV1, 5 (5%) had mild impairment of the FEV1/FVC ratio, and 17 (18%) had mild impairment of the D(LCO). There was one patient (1%) who had moderate impairment of FVC, one patient (1%) who had moderate impairment of the FEV1/FVC ratio, and three patients (3%) who had moderate impairment of the D(LCO). No pulmonary function abnormalities were detected in 59 patients (63%). Mean scores were significantly higher (ie, worse) than the population norms in the activity (p < 0.001), impacts (p < 0.001), and total (p < 0.001) domains of the SGRQ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One year after recovery from SARS, persistent pulmonary function impairment was found in about one third of patients. The health status of SARS survivors was also significantly worse compared with the healthy population. The main determinants of morbidity in recovered SARS patients need to be further defined.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore. ongkianchung@yahoo.com.sg
authors.forename: Kian-Chung
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Ong
authors.forename: Alan Wei-Keong
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Lawrence Soon-U
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kaw
authors.forename: Seow-Khee
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kwek
authors.forename: Melvin Khee-Shing
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Leow
authors.forename: Arul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Earnest
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; D012846:Singapore; D017741:Survivors; D013997:Time Factors