A computerized, self-administered questionnaire to evaluate posttraumatic stress among firefighters after the World Trade Center collapse.
Am J Public Health
; 99 Suppl 3: S702-9, 2009 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19890176
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
We sought to determine the frequency of psychological symptoms and elevated posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) risk among New York City firefighters after the World Trade Center (WTC) attack and whether these measures were associated with Counseling Services Unit (CSU) use or mental health-related medical leave over the first 2.5 years after the attack.METHODS:
Shortly after the WTC attack, a computerized, binary-response screening questionnaire was administered. Exposure assessment included WTC arrival time and "loss of a co-worker while working at the collapse." We determined elevated PTSD risk using thresholds derived from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision, and a sensitivity-specificity analysis.RESULTS:
Of 8487 participants, 76% reported at least 1 symptom, 1016 (12%) met criteria for elevated PTSD risk, and 2389 (28%) self-referred to the CSU, a 5-fold increase from before the attack. Higher scores were associated with CSU use, functional job impairment, and mental health-related medical leave. Exposure-response gradients were significant for all outcomes.CONCLUSIONS:
This screening tool effectively identified elevated PTSD risk, higher CSU use, and functional impairment among firefighters and therefore may be useful in allocating scarce postdisaster mental health resources.
Texto completo:
1
Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Trastornos por Estrés Postraumático
/
Interfaz Usuario-Computador
/
Encuestas y Cuestionarios
/
Exposición Profesional
/
Ataques Terroristas del 11 de Septiembre
/
Incendios
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Guideline
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Screening_studies
Límite:
Adult
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Región como asunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Public Health
Año:
2009
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estados Unidos