How Severe are the Long-Term Sequelae of SARS?

Update Date: 2024-10-01 Source: Network

SARS Sequelae

SARS sequelae refer to the complications that arose from the treatment and prevention of SARS. In the early spring of 2003, the SARS virus spread rapidly. To save lives and control the epidemic, hormonal drugs were widely used in the emergency treatment of SARS. Consequently, many patients developed avascular necrosis of the femoral head, lung dysfunction, and other adverse drug reactions. Nowadays, this group of individuals known as SARS sequelae patients mostly lead difficult lives, with 60% of them facing family misfortunes.

Avascular Necrosis

Many people have a limited understanding of avascular necrosis. Some mistakenly believe it only refers to avascular necrosis of the femoral head, which is actually just one symptom among many. Avascular necrosis, also known as osteonecrosis, refers to the necrosis of viable bone tissue components. Traditional Chinese medicine refers to it as bone erosion. Numerous parts of the body, such as carpal bones, lunate bones, tibial tuberosities, metatarsal bones, navicular bones, ankle fractures, and femoral heads, can experience osteonecrosis. There are numerous causes of osteonecrosis, with femoral head necrosis being the most common, which is often the focus of detailed introductions regarding its causes, symptoms, and treatments.

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

IPF is an interstitial lung disease with unclear etiology, often synonymous with idiopathic interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and diffuse interstitial pulmonary fibrosis. Typical IPF manifestations include dry cough and idiopathic dyspnea, gradually worsening over months or years, often progressing to end-stage respiratory failure or death within 3 to 8 years of symptom onset. The key pathological features are a mixture of fibrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration in the lung interstitium and bronchial lumen. Although the pathogenesis of this disease remains unclear, its clinical and pathological characteristics suggest it is a heterogeneous disorder. The treatment of IPF lacks objective and fundamental prognostic factors or treatment responses. Corticosteroids (hereinafter referred to as hormones), immunosuppressants, and cytotoxic drugs are still the key treatment options, but less than 30% of patients respond to treatment, and adverse reactions may occur.

Depression

Depression is a manifestation of manic-depressive illness, characterized by emotional depression, slow logical thinking, reduced and sluggish speech, and posture. Severe depression significantly disrupts patients' daily lives and work, imposing a heavy burden on families and society. Approximately 15% of depressed patients die by suicide. A collaborative study by the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and Harvard University in the United States has shown that depression has become the second leading cause of disease burden in China.

Chronic Obstructive Bronchiolitis with Organizing Pneumonia (COPDOP)

COPDOP is a unique clinical-pathological syndrome with unclear etiology that can develop into focal organizing pneumonia, with fibrotic granulomatous tissue obstructing bronchiolitis and bronchioles. This condition represents a complex interplay between inflammation, fibrosis, and tissue remodeling in the airways.