Long-term course of probable PTSD after the 9/11 attacks: a study in urban primary care.
Although the short- and midterm psychological effects of the attacks on September 11, 2001 (9/11) have been well described, less is known about the long-term effects. This study examines the course of probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), its predictors and clinical consequences in a cohort of 455 primary care patients in New York City, interviewed approximately 1 and 4 years after 9/11. The rate of PTSD decreased from 9.6% to 4.1%. Pre-9/11 major depressive disorder emerged as the strongest predictor of PTSD, particularly late-PTSD. At follow-up, late-PTSD was associated with major depressive and anxiety disorders, and PTSD regardless of timing was associated with impaired functioning. Findings highlight the importance of ongoing evaluation of mental health needs in primary care settings in the aftermath of disasters.
Neria
Yuval
Y
New York State Psychiatric Institute, and College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, 1051 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10032, USA. ny126@columbia.edu
Olfson
Mark
M
Gameroff
Marc J
MJ
DiGrande
Laura
L
Wickramaratne
Priya
P
Gross
Raz
R
Pilowsky
Daniel J
DJ
Neugebaur
Richard
R
Manetti-Cusa
Julián
J
Lewis-Fernandez
Roberto
R
Lantigua
Rafael
R
Shea
Steven
S
Weissman
Myrna M
MM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult