Longitudinal study of probable post-traumatic stress disorder in firefighters exposed to the World Trade Center disaster

Details

• Personal Author:
  Berninger A ; Cohen HW ; Corrigan M ; Gustave J ; Kelly K ; Lee R ; Niles JK ; Prezant DJ ; Webber MP
• Description:
  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 percent reported probable PTSD post-9/11, 8.6 percent at baseline and 11.1 percent 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. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Emergencies Emergency Responders Firefighters Mental Disorders Mental Health Occupational Health Safety September 11 Terrorist Attacks Stress, Psychological
• Keywords:
  Author Keywords: World Trade Center Emergency-responders Emergency-response Emotional-stress Fire-fighters Firefighters Long-term-study Mathematical-models Medical-screening Mental-disorders Mental-health Mental-stress Mental Health Occupational Medicine Posttraumatic Psychological-reactions Psychological-responses Psychological-stress Rescue-workers Statistical-analysis Stress

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant ; Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  53
• Issue:
  12
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20038881
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2010 Dec; 53(12):1177-1185
• Contact Point Address:
  Mayris P. Webber, DrPH, MPH, New York City Fire Department, Bureau of Health Services, 9 Metrotech Center, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA
• Email:
  webberm@fdny.nyc.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b55a18bd167da59cf3e24c8f04305b876afaabb585b91ee406eff309ce1e453225a87fea27c3bdfd5784966c2e7ce4c720ac6ac29dacac04ccb14596a4b828bf
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/192422/cdc_192422_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 141.70 KB ]