More Than 3,000 Survivors of the World Trade Center Attacks Experience Long-Term Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-30
Author(s):  
. .
2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Erin Takemoto ◽  
Katherine R. Van Oss ◽  
Shadi Chamany ◽  
Jennifer Brite ◽  
Robert Brackbill

Abstract Background Among Veterans, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been shown to be associated with obesity and accelerated weight gain. Less is known among the general population. We sought to determine the impact of PTSD on body mass index (BMI) and weight change among individuals with exposure to the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster. Methods We examined individuals from the WTC Health Registry. PTSD symptoms were assessed on multiple surveys (Waves 1–4) using the PTSD Checklist-Specific. Three categories of post-9/11 PTSD were derived: no, intermittent, and persistent. We examined two outcomes: (1) Wave 3 BMI (normal, overweight, and obese) and (2) weight change between Waves 3 and 4. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the association between PTSD and BMI (N = 34 958) and generalized estimating equations to assess the impact of PTSD on weight change (N = 26 532). Sex- and age-stratified analyses were adjusted for a priori confounders. Results At Wave 3, the observed prevalence of obesity was highest among the persistent (39.5%) and intermittent PTSD (36.6%) groups, compared to the no PTSD group (29.3%). In adjusted models, persistent and intermittent PTSD were consistently associated with a higher odds of obesity. Weight gain was similar across all groups, but those with persistent and intermittent PTSD had higher estimated group-specific mean weights across time. Conclusions Our findings that those with a history of PTSD post-9/11 were more likely to have obesity is consistent with existing literature. These findings reaffirm the need for an interdisciplinary focus on physical and mental health to improve health outcomes.


Circulation ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 129 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rupa L Iyengar ◽  
Cynara Maceda ◽  
Jacqueline O'Boyle ◽  
Heather Beebe ◽  
Yuliya Yakunina ◽  
...  

Background: Exposure to particulate matter (PM) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is likely that different mechanisms, including inflammatory processes, are responsible for acute and chronic toxic effects. First responders during the World Trade Center (WTC) tragedy have been exposed to PM. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is well-established in the WTC cohort. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a marker of inflammtion and is indicative of increased CVD risk. In this abstract we aim to investigate the relationship between PTSD and PM exposure and its impact on CVD. Methods: We evaluated 816 participants in the World Trade Center-CHEST Program from January 2011 to September 2013. PTSD was defined as self-reported diagnosis and/or a score of above 50 on the PTSD questionnaire. Using the Wisnevsky’s exposure score, participants were classified into four exposure groups, very high, high, intermediate and low. Chi-square analysis, independent t-test, and linear regressions were performed to determine if there was any significant relationship between PTSD, Exposure and CVD. Results: Participants with very high or high exposure score were more likely to have PTSD (p=0.001). Those with PTSD had higher hsCRP which were trending to significance (p=0.053). When adjusted further for CVD risk and exposure, hsCRP was significantly related to PTSD (p = 0.044). Conclusions: PTSD is significantly related to PM exposure in this cohort of WTC responders. PTSD is a condition that not only affects level of function on a psychological level but can also have an impact on CVD health. PTSD and PM exposure should be considered when assessing CVD risk.


2017 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 723-731 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Mindlis ◽  
E. Morales-Raveendran ◽  
E. Goodman ◽  
K. Xu ◽  
C. Vila-Castelar ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document