BACKGROUND: Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been reported even years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11). METHODS: We used screening tools to assess the prevalence of probable PTSD in 9/11-exposed firefighters at two time points, within 6 months of 9/11 (baseline) and 3-4 years post-disaster (follow-up). RESULTS: Five thousand six hundred fifty-six individuals completed assessments at both times. 15.5% reported probable PTSD post-9/11, 8.6% at baseline and 11.1% at follow-up, on average 2.9 (SD 0.5) years later. Analyses revealed that nearly half of all probable PTSD occurred as delayed onset (absent baseline, present follow-up). Compared with the resilient group (no probable PTSD at either time), probable PTSD at baseline, and delayed onset at follow-up were each associated with concomitant functional impairment (OR 19.5 and 18.9), respectively. CONCLUSION: Similar percentages of firefighters met criteria for baseline and delayed onset probable PTSD at follow-up, years later. Both were associated with substantial functional impairment. Early risk identification could provide opportunities for mental health interventions before symptoms compromise work and social relationships.
BACKGROUND: Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been reported even years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 (9/11). METHODS: We used screening tools to assess the prevalence of probable PTSD in 9/11-exposed firefighters at two time points, within 6 months of 9/11 (baseline) and 3-4 years post-disaster (follow-up). RESULTS: Five thousand six hundred fifty-six individuals completed assessments at both times. 15.5% reported probable PTSD post-9/11, 8.6% at baseline and 11.1% at follow-up, on average 2.9 (SD 0.5) years later. Analyses revealed that nearly half of all probable PTSD occurred as delayed onset (absent baseline, present follow-up). Compared with the resilient group (no probable PTSD at either time), probable PTSD at baseline, and delayed onset at follow-up were each associated with concomitant functional impairment (OR 19.5 and 18.9), respectively. CONCLUSION: Similar percentages of firefighters met criteria for baseline and delayed onset probable PTSD at follow-up, years later. Both were associated with substantial functional impairment. Early risk identification could provide opportunities for mental health interventions before symptoms compromise work and social relationships.
Authors: A Lowell; B Suarez-Jimenez; L Helpman; X Zhu; A Durosky; A Hilburn; F Schneier; R Gross; Y Neria Journal: Psychol Med Date: 2017-08-14 Impact factor: 7.723
Authors: Ian H Stanley; Melanie A Hom; Carol Chu; Sean P Dougherty; Austin J Gallyer; Sally Spencer-Thomas; Leah Shelef; Eyal Fruchter; Katherine Anne Comtois; Peter M Gutierrez; Natalie J Sachs-Ericsson; Thomas E Joiner Journal: Psychol Serv Date: 2018-03-29
Authors: Michael D Weiden; Sophia Kwon; Erin Caraher; Kenneth I Berger; Joan Reibman; William N Rom; David J Prezant; Anna Nolan Journal: Semin Respir Crit Care Med Date: 2015-05-29 Impact factor: 3.119
Authors: Jiehui Li; Kimberly Caramanica Zweig; Robert M Brackbill; Mark R Farfel; James E Cone Journal: Qual Life Res Date: 2017-12-20 Impact factor: 4.147