Posttraumatic stress, anxiety, and depression in survivors of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

Abstract

This study examines the psychological impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in 195 adult patients in Hong Kong. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were administered to patients 1 month after their discharge. Of the participants 10% to 18% reported symptoms related to posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Symptom severity was associated with high perceived life threat and low emotional support. Women and participants who had low education level were more likely to have symptoms of avoidance. Participants who personally knew someone who had SARS were more likely to be affected by depressive symptoms.

The long‐term impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome on pulmonary function, exercise capacity and health status

“…The persistent impairment of 6MWD was an important contributor to the reduced quality of life over 24 months. In addition to the physical impairment, mental impairment is expected as the major SARS outbreak in 2003 was a traumatic experience for the SARS survivors 44 . A striking finding was that 10 patients in our cohort had suffered from depression or post‐traumatic stress disorder requiring psychiatric support.…”

“…A striking finding was that 10 patients in our cohort had suffered from depression or post‐traumatic stress disorder requiring psychiatric support. This finding was echoed by the observation that 10–18% of SARS survivors in HK had symptoms related to post‐traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and depression 44 . Among SARS survivors in Canada, psychiatrist consultations accounted for the greatest numbers of health‐care visits 15 .…”

Social support and psychological adjustment to SARS: The mediating role of self-care self-efficacy

“…Among them, one was conducted during the acute treatment phase (10 cases with psychiatric complications) (Cheng, Tsang, Ku, Wong, & Ng, 2004), one assessed survivors at 3, 6, and 12 months after symptom onset (Hui et al, 2005), and the rest of the studies surveyed survivors six months or less after hospital discharge (Cheng et al, 2004a;Cheng et al, 2004b;Cheng et al, 2006;Lee et al, 2005;Sheng, Cheng, Lau, Li, & Chan, 2005;Wu, Chan, & Ma, 2005). Given SARS is a novel infectious disease, studying its longterm effects on health and well-being and its psychosocial correlates may inform researchers and practitioners in preparing for and handling similar pandemic (e.g., avian flu) in the future.…”

Mental health and a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in China

“…The outbreak of SARS-CoV was associated with depression, anxiety, fatigue, pain, weakness and sleep disturbance(Moldofsky and Patcai, 2011). In the SARS-CoV survivors, women and low education level were positively associated with avoidance symptoms(Wu et al, 2005). In the SARS-CoV survivors, women and low education level were positively associated with avoidance symptoms(Wu et al, 2005).…”