After 158 patients develop bone disease, the drugs will be used only as last resort
The Hospital Authority has restricted the use of steroids in treating Sars after 158 patients from last year's outbreak developed a degenerative bone disease.
Corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs similar to natural hormones produced by the body, cause avascular necrosis when high doses are used.
About 13 per cent of recovered Sars patients have developed the debilitating disease, which stops blood flowing to parts of the bones, causing the bone tissue to die and collapse.
In Beijing, where the drug was also used on Sars patients, between 33 per cent and 50 per cent of recovered patients contracted the disease.
Doctors will now use steroids only on Sars patients on the verge of respiratory failure and in need of mechanical ventilation to support their breathing.