Guest guest Posted November 14, 2003 Report Share Posted November 14, 2003 Some SARS Patients Develop Bone Disease MELBOURNE (UPI) -- Doctors said Sunday some patients who recovered from SARS in Hong Kong are suffering bone degeneration possibly caused by the drugs used to treat the virus. Hong Kong's Hospital Authority said 50 of 500 patients were found to have avascular necrosis, the Melbourne Herald-Sun reported in its Monday edition. Avascular necrosis results from the temporary or permanent loss of blood to the bones, causing tissue to die and sometimes bones to collapse, doctors said. It results in broken bones and fractures, primarily affecting the hips. Medical experts said the problem could be linked to the drug ribavirin and extremely high doses of steroids used to treat the victims. There is no cure for SARS, which infected 8,000 people and claimed 774 lives worldwide. ---------------------- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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