Mental health impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome: a prospective study.

Abstract

1. Psychiatric disorders and chronic fatigue were common among severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) survivors even after 3 years, and were associated with various functional impairments. 2. Factors associated with the post-SARS experience and dysfunctions (including perceived stigmatisation, frequent recall, medicolegal issues, and working status) were likely to be related to long-term psychiatric disorders and fatigue. 3. A proportion of SARS survivors may have partial insufficient adrenal responses, but the hypothalamo-pituitaryadrenal status was not related to the psychiatric and fatigue status.