Risk factors for SARS-related deaths in 2003, Beijing / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the potential risk factors for severe acute respiratory syndromes (SARS)-related deaths in Beijing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Epidemiological data were collected among the confirmed SARS patients officially reported by Beijing Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (BCDC), and information was also supplemented by a follow-up case survey. Chi-square test and multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Old age (over 60 years) was found to be significantly associated with SARS-related deaths in the univariate analysis. Also, history of contacting SARS patients within 2 weeks prior to the onset of illness, health occupation, and inferior hospital ranking as well as longer interval of clinic consulting (longer than 1 day) were the risk factors for SARS-related deaths. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis found four risk factors for SARS-related deaths.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Old age (over 60 years) is the major risk factor for SARS-related deaths. Moreover, hospital health workers, the designated hospitals for SARS clinical services and the interval of consulting doctors (less than 1 day) are protective factors for surviving from SARS.</p>