Quality of life and psychological status in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome at 3 months postdischarge.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the long-term consequence of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). We carried out an assessment on SARS patients after their recovery from their acute illness.


METHODS
Postal survey comprising Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) questionnaires and anxiety and depression measures was sent to them at 3 months' postdischarge.


RESULTS
There was a significant impairment in both the HRQoL and mental functioning. Forty-one percent had scores indicative of a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); about 30% had likely anxiety and depression.


CONCLUSIONS
SARS has significant impact on HRQoL and psychological status at 3 months.
Kwek
Seow-Khee
SK
Department of Psychological Medicine, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433. seow_khee_kwek@ttsh.com.sg
Chew
Wuen-Ming
WM
Ong
Kian-Chung
KC
Ng
Alan Wei-Keong
AW
Lee
Lawrence Soon-U
LS
Kaw
Gregory
G
Leow
Melvin Khee-Shing
MK
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003710:Demography; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D008296:Malaysia / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D010351:Patient Discharge; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012846:Singapore; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors