title: Health-related quality of life and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in accident and emergency attenders suffering from psychosocial crises: a longitudinal study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper is a report of a study of health-related quality of life and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in patients attending an Accident and Emergency department because of psychosocial crises.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Psychosocial crises are commonplace globally, but there is little knowledge about patients attending Accident and Emergency departments because of psychosocial crises.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected at an Accident and Emergency department in Norway from September 2008 to June 2009. A total of 99 adults participated in the baseline study and 41 of these participated at 2 months follow-up. The Short Form-36 Health Survey and the Post Traumatic Symptom Scale were used to obtain data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants reported significantly lower scores in all health-related quality of life domains at baseline compared with the general Norwegian population. The mental health score was two standard deviations below the norm. Health-related quality of life scores were improved and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were reduced after 2 months. High levels of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms were reported by 78% of the participants at baseline and 59% at follow-up. Participants with high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms at follow-up also reported low health-related quality of life scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests a need for an acute psychosocial intervention and an opportunity to receive follow-up support at Accident and Emergency departments.
authors: Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Norway. mette@senneseth.com
authors: Mette
authors: M
authors: Senneseth
authors: Kjersti
authors: K
authors: Alsaker
authors: Gerd Karin
authors: GK
authors: Natvig
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009664:Norway; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011568:Psychiatric Nursing; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D057566:Self Report; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D059020:Suicidal Ideation; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology; D000078329:Workforce