Assessment of pulmonary function in SARS patients during the convalescent period / 中国医学科学院学报

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the pulmonary function in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients during the convalescent period.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Followup 89 outpatients of SARS. The follow-up study included interview, physical examination, and pulmonary function test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The interval between hospital discharge and functional assessment was 1.75 +/- 0.53 months (0.5-3.4 months). Mild to moderate abnormalities in pulmonary function were found in 48 patients (53.9%). Diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) was impaired in 38 patients (42.7%); in 7 patients (7.9%), lung function was restrictive defect combined DLco impairment; Other patterns of impairment were revealed in 3 patient. Dyspnea during acute phase and CT during the convalescent period were found to have significant influences on DLco and total lung capacity (TLC).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Diffusing capacity impairment as well as restrictive defect persist in convalescence SARS.</p>