title: The association between psychiatric disorders and work-related problems among subway drivers in Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to find the prevalence and occupational risk factors for major psychiatric disorders among subway drivers in South Korea.
  
  
  METHODS
  Of all 998 current subway drivers, 995 participated in this study. The Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (K-CIDI 2.1) was administered by trained interviewers to diagnose psychiatric disorders in all participants. The questions on socio-demographic characteristics and working conditions included some questions related to a person under train (PUT) experience and work-related problems. One-year prevalence and lifetime prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and panic disorder were diagnosed through the interview. The standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) of these three disorders were calculated in the sample of subway drivers using the 2011 Korean National Epidemiologic Survey data as a basis. Multiple logistic regressions were performed to determine the association between work-related factors and the prevalence of the psychiatric disorders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) for a 1-year prevalence of MDD and PTSD among subway drivers were 1.1 (95% CI 0.7-1.7) and 5.6 (95% CI 3.1-8.8), respectively. Conflict with passengers was significantly associated with an increased risk for both MDD and PTSD in 1-year and in lifetime prevalence. Experiencing a sudden stop due to an emergency bell increased the risk of the lifetime prevalence of MDD (OR 2.61, 95% CI 1.14-6.97) and PTSD (OR 7.53, 95% CI 1.77-32.02). The risk of PTSD significantly increased among drivers who once experienced a near accident in terms of both the 1-year prevalence (OR 8.81, 95% CI 1.96-39.3) and the lifetime prevalence (OR 6.36, 95% CI 2.40-16.90).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PTSD and panic disorder were more prevalent among subway drivers than in the general population. We found that having a conflict with passengers, a near accident, and a breakdown while driving can be risk factors for psychiatric disorders among subway drivers. Therefore, a prompt and sensitive approach should be introduced for these high risk groups within the subway company.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Banpo-daero, Seoul, 137-701 Korea.
authors.forename: Se-Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Banpo-daero, Seoul, 137-701 Korea.
authors.forename: Hyoung-Ryoul
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Baengnyeong-ro, Chuncheon, 200-722 Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Ik
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Seoul Medical Center, Sinnae-ro, Seoul, 131-795 Korea.
authors.forename: Hae Woo
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Banpo-daero, Seoul, 137-701 Korea.
authors.forename: Jongin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Banpo-daero, Seoul, 137-701 Korea.
authors.forename: Junsu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Byun
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine and Clinical Research Center for Depression, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Banpo-daero, Seoul, 137-701 Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeon Woo
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Yim
keywords: Korea; PTSD; Panic disorder; Subway drivers