OBJECTIVESTo investigate the changes of liver function during the course of serious acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and to explore its possible influence factors.

METHODSThere were 91 patients with common SARS, and 23 patients with severe SARS, and 61 common pneumonia patients served as the controls. The liver functions of all the patients were measured.

RESULTSThe rate of anomaly liver function in the common SARS patients group was 68.1%, which was higher than that in the common pneumonia patients group (24.6%), chi2=27.7, P<0.01. The changes mainly existed in the mild to moderate elevation of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. The severe SARS patients were older and the changing rate of liver function was as high as 95.7%.

CONCLUSIONSThe damage possibility of liver function in SARS patients is higher than that in common pneumonia patients. The damage is light and related to SARS itself. The damage of liver function in the severe SARS patients may have close relationship with age.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Liver ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumonia ; physiopathology ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; physiopathology

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B virus ; growth & development ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Viral Load

OBJECTIVETo survey the dose of glucocorticosteroids administered in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and assess the effect of glucocorticosteroid doses in improving the patients' lung function.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted among 225 SARS patients treated in our in 2003. Oxygenation index was used as the effectness index, and the criteria for effectiveness was defiend as increase of the value of OI by 20% or above.

RESULTSGlococoticostecoids were used in 59.56% of the SARS cases. The average value of OI before intravenous use of glucocorticosteroids was 237.08 mmHg, and that after the administration was 335.08 mmHg. The glucocorticosteroid doses that produce better effects were 1-3 mg/kg and 160-240 mg daily, with the total accumulative dose of 1000-2000 mg. The optimal duration of glucocorticosteroid use was 8-14 days.

CONCLUSIONSFor SARS treatment, Glucocorticosteroids can effectively ameliorate the SARS patients' lung symptoms and improve the lung function. The appropriate daily dose of glucocorticosteroids is 1-3 mg/kg or 160-240 mg/d for a duration of 8-14 d; the accumulative dose should be controlled around 1500 mg.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Methylprednisolone ; administration & dosage ; Middle Aged ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; drug therapy ; Young Adult