Melanie H Jacobson1, Christina Norman2, Angela Nguyen3, Robert M Brackbill3. 1. World Trade Center Health Registry, Division of Epidemiology, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY 10013, United States. Electronic address: mjacobson@health.nyc.gov. 2. Division of Mental Hygiene, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Queens, NY 11101, United States. 3. World Trade Center Health Registry, Division of Epidemiology, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York, NY 10013, United States.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Exposure to the September 11, 2001 (9/11) terrorist attacks has been found to be associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid PTSD and depression up to 10-11 years post-disaster. However, little is known about the longitudinal predictors of mental health conditions over time. METHODS: We examined longitudinal determinants of depression within strata of PTSD among 21,258 enrollees of the World Trade Center Health Registry who completed four questionnaires over 14 years of follow-up (Wave 1 in 2003-04; Wave 2 in 2005-06; Wave 3 in 2011-12; and Wave 4 in 2015-16). PTSD status was measured using the PTSD checklist on all four waves and defined as a score of ≥ 44; depression was assessed using the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire at Waves 3 and 4 and defined as a score of ≥ 10. RESULTS: Across Waves 3 and 4, 18.6% experienced depression, and it was more common among those who ever had PTSD (56.1%) compared with those who had not (5.6%). Across PTSD strata, predictors of depression included low income, unemployment, low social integration and support, post-9/11 traumatic life events, and chronic physical illness. These factors also decreased the likelihood of recovering from depression. LIMITATIONS: Depression symptoms were not measured at Waves 1 and 2; data was self-reported. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the substantial burden of depression in a trauma-exposed population 14-15 years post-disaster, especially among those with PTSD. Similar life stressors predicted the course of depression among those with and without PTSD which may inform public health and clinical interventions.
BACKGROUND: Exposure to the September 11, 2001 (9/11) terrorist attacks has been found to be associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and comorbid PTSD and depression up to 10-11 years post-disaster. However, little is known about the longitudinal predictors of mental health conditions over time. METHODS: We examined longitudinal determinants of depression within strata of PTSD among 21,258 enrollees of the World Trade Center Health Registry who completed four questionnaires over 14 years of follow-up (Wave 1 in 2003-04; Wave 2 in 2005-06; Wave 3 in 2011-12; and Wave 4 in 2015-16). PTSD status was measured using the PTSD checklist on all four waves and defined as a score of ≥ 44; depression was assessed using the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire at Waves 3 and 4 and defined as a score of ≥ 10. RESULTS: Across Waves 3 and 4, 18.6% experienced depression, and it was more common among those who ever had PTSD (56.1%) compared with those who had not (5.6%). Across PTSD strata, predictors of depression included low income, unemployment, low social integration and support, post-9/11 traumatic life events, and chronic physical illness. These factors also decreased the likelihood of recovering from depression. LIMITATIONS: Depression symptoms were not measured at Waves 1 and 2; data was self-reported. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the substantial burden of depression in a trauma-exposed population 14-15 years post-disaster, especially among those with PTSD. Similar life stressors predicted the course of depression among those with and without PTSD which may inform public health and clinical interventions.
Authors: Robert M Brackbill; Howard E Alper; Patricia Frazier; Lisa M Gargano; Melanie H Jacobson; Adrienne Solomon Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-03-23 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Belinda Agyapong; Ejemai Eboreime; Reham Shalaby; Hannah Pazderka; Gloria Obuobi-Donkor; Medard K Adu; Wanying Mao; Folajinmi Oluwasina; Ernest Owusu; Andrew J Greenshaw; Vincent I O Agyapong Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-31 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Shahram Moosavi; Bernard Nwaka; Idowu Akinjise; Sandra E Corbett; Pierre Chue; Andrew J Greenshaw; Peter H Silverstone; Xin-Min Li; Vincent I O Agyapong Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2019-09-18 Impact factor: 4.157