Check-ups of ex-SARS patients underway
( 2003-11-10 14:43) (China Daily)
Check-ups are being arranged for people who have
recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) through a centralized
system, Chairman of Hospital Authority (HA) Leong Chi-hung said on Sunday.
About 10 per cent of them have been found to be suffering from a degenerative
bone disorder, he disclosed.
To avoid different hospitals making their own efforts to follow up on
recovered SARS patients, the work is now being co-ordinated by the HA, Leong
explained. Several nurses have been assigned to liaise with 1,400 former SARS
patients and arrange for them to undertake physical check-ups.
Twelve government clinics are dedicated to the task; and they will check
former SARS patients on the conditions of their lungs and bones as well as their
mental state.
So far, 400-500 such former patients have been processed, and about 10 per
cent of have been found to have a degenerative bone disorder, Leong said.
However, these patients may not have to undergo any operation, and the best
cure may be found after more data is collected on the disease, Leong said.
According to a statement issued by HA, 49 former SARS patients have
contracted the bone disorder - avascular necrosis, which hampers blood flow to
the bone and leads to fractures. The disease usually affects the hip joints.
Many SARS patients in Hong Kong were treated with an antiviral drug called
Ribavirin and high dosages of steroid, and some experts had warned that the
regimen may be harmful.
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