Posttraumatic stress disorder and depression of survivors 12 months after the outbreak of Middle East respiratory syndrome in South Korea

Abstract Background: The 2015 outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the Republic of Korea is a recent and representative occurrence of nationwide outbreaks of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs). In addition to physical symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common following outbreaks of EID.Methods: The present study investigated the long-term mental health outcomes and related risk factors in survivors of MERS. A prospective nationwide cohort study was conducted 12 months after the MERS outbreak at multi-centers throughout Korea. PTSD and depression as the main mental health outcomes were assessed with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised Korean version (IES-R-K) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) respectively.Results: 42.9% of survivors reported PTSD (IES-R-K ≥ 25) and 27.0% reported depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) at 12 months post-MERS. A multivariate analysis revealed that anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.76; 95%CI, 1.29–25.58; P = 0.021), and a greater recognition of stigma (aOR, 11.09, 95%CI, 2.28–53.90; P = 0.003) during the MERS-affected period were independent predictors of PTSD at 12 months after the MERS outbreak. Having a family member who died from MERS predicted the development of depression (aOR, 12.08, 95%CI, 1.47–99.19; P = 0.020).Conclusion: This finding implies that psychosocial factors, particularly during the outbreak phase, influenced the mental health of patients over a long-term period. Mental health support among the infected subjects and efforts to reduce stigma may improve recovery from psychological distress in an EID outbreak.

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Posttraumatic stress disorder and depression of survivors 12 months after the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in South Korea

10.21203/rs.3.rs-15619/v2 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hye Yoon Park ◽

Wan Beom Park ◽

So Hee Lee ◽

Jeong Lan Kim ◽

Jung Jae Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Middle East ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Mental Health Outcomes

Abstract Background: The 2015 outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the Republic of Korea is a recent and representative occurrence of nationwide outbreaks of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) . In addition to physical symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common following outbreaks of EID. Methods: The present study investigated the long-term mental health outcomes and related risk factors in survivors of MERS. A prospective nationwide cohort study was conducted 12 months after the MERS outbreak at multi-centers throughout Korea. PTSD and depression as the main mental health outcomes were assessed with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised Korean version (IES-R-K) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) respectively. Results: 42.9% of survivors reported PTSD (IES-R-K ≥ 25) and 27.0% reported depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) at 12 months post-MERS. A multivariate analysis revealed that anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.76; 95%CI, 1.29–25.58; P = 0.021), and a greater recognition of stigma (aOR, 11.09, 95%CI, 2.28–53.90; P = 0.003) during the MERS-affected period were independent predictors of PTSD at 12 months after the MERS outbreak. Having a family member who died from MERS predicted the development of depression (aOR, 12.08, 95%CI, 1.47–99.19; P = 0.020). Conclusion: This finding implies that psychosocial factors, particularly during the outbreak phase, influenced the mental health of patients over a long-term period. Mental health support among the infected subjects and efforts to reduce stigma may improve recovery from psychological distress in an EID outbreak.

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Posttraumatic stress disorder and depression of survivors 12 months after the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in South Korea

10.21203/rs.3.rs-15619/v3 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Hye Yoon Park ◽

Wan Beom Park ◽

So Hee Lee ◽

Jeong Lan Kim ◽

Jung Jae Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Middle East ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Mental Health Outcomes

Abstract Background: The 2015 outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) in the Republic of Korea is a recent and representative occurrence of nationwide outbreaks of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) . In addition to physical symptoms, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common following outbreaks of EID. Methods: The present study investigated the long-term mental health outcomes and related risk factors in survivors of MERS. A prospective nationwide cohort study was conducted 12 months after the MERS outbreak at multi-centers throughout Korea. PTSD and depression as the main mental health outcomes were assessed with the Impact of Event Scale-Revised Korean version (IES-R-K) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) respectively. Results: 42.9% of survivors reported PTSD (IES-R-K ≥ 25) and 27.0% reported depression (PHQ-9 ≥ 10) at 12 months post-MERS. A multivariate analysis revealed that anxiety (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.76; 95%CI, 1.29–25.58; P = 0.021), and a greater recognition of stigma (aOR, 11.09, 95%CI, 2.28–53.90; P = 0.003) during the MERS-affected period were independent predictors of PTSD at 12 months after the MERS outbreak. Having a family member who died from MERS predicted the development of depression (aOR, 12.08, 95%CI, 1.47–99.19; P = 0.020). Conclusion: This finding implies that psychosocial factors, particularly during the outbreak phase, influenced the mental health of patients over a long-term period. Mental health support among the infected subjects and efforts to reduce stigma may improve recovery from psychological distress in an EID outbreak.

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Coronavirus infections, Posttraumatic stress disorder, Healthcare personnel, Middle East respiratory syndrome, Hospital personnel management

Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.3961/jpmph.20.510 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ewunetie Mekashaw Bayked ◽

Birhanu Demeke Workneh ◽

Mesfin Haile Kahissay

Keyword(s):

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

Middle East ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Personnel Management ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Healthcare Personnel ◽

Hospital Personnel ◽

Coronavirus Infections

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Psychological Risk Factors for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Workers After Toxic Chemical Spill in Gumi, South Korea

Workplace Health & Safety ◽

10.1177/2165079917750168 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 66 (8) ◽

pp. 393-402 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ji Young Song ◽

Kyoung-Sook Jeong ◽

Kyeong-sook Choi ◽

Min-gi Kim ◽

Yeon-Soon Ahn

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽

South Korea ◽

Posttraumatic Stress ◽

Stress Disorder ◽

Psychiatric Symptoms ◽

Industrial Complex ◽

Event Scale ◽

Psychological Risk Factors ◽

Psychological Risk

The extent and severity of the psychological effects following chemical release disasters have not been widely reported. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of hydrogen fluoride (HF)–related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and to identify associated psychological risk factors. On September 2012, an estimated 8 to 12 tons of HF gas, which dissolves in air moisture to form droplets of corrosive hydrofluoric acid, escaped from an industrial complex in Gumi, South Korea. Ten months later, structured questionnaires that included items from the Impacts of Event Scale (revised Korean version) as well as questions about demographic and psychological risk factors related to PTSD were distributed to workers in the affected area. The prevalence rate of PTSD was 5.7%. The odds of PTSD in non-alcohol-dependent workers (odds ratio [OR] = 3.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.27, 7.60]) was significantly higher than in alcohol-independent workers. The OR for PTSD in workers with anxiety (OR = 7.63, 95% CI = [2.10, 27.71) was significantly higher than the OR workers without anxiety. The odds of PTSD in workers with high perceived stress scale (PSS) scores (OR = 8.72, 95 % CI = [2.29, 33.16]) was significantly higher than for workers with low PSS. Alcohol dependence, psychiatric symptoms at the time of the event, anxiety, and high PSS were associated with HF-related PTSD. Long-term employee assistance programs are needed to assist occupational health nurses and clinicians to reduce PTSD after industrial disasters.

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