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North CS, Pfefferbaum B. Tobacco and Illicit Drug Use and Drug Use Disorders Among Employees of Businesses Affected by the 9/11 Attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. J Dual Diagn 2023; 19:180-188. [PMID: 37796633 PMCID: PMC10624119 DOI: 10.1080/15504263.2023.2260328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the New York City area population after the September 11, 2001, 9/11 attacks, focusing on tobacco and drug use and drug use disorders. An abundance of research has identified the important mental health sequelae stemming from exposure to disasters, especially vulnerability to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD). There also is a body of literature on the association of disaster exposure with alcohol use/misuse, but far less research on tobacco and other drug use/disorders. METHODS A terrorism-affected sample (N = 379) was assessed nearly 3 years after the attacks using structured diagnostic interviews, providing predisaster and postdisaster prevalence and incidence of tobacco and drug use, changes in tobacco and drug use, and predisaster and postdisaster prevalence and incidence of drug use disorders in relation to the 9/11 attacks. DSM-IV criteria were fully assessed using structured diagnostic interviews for psychiatric disorders including PTSD, MDD, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and alcohol and drug use disorders. RESULTS Tobacco use did not increase significantly, and no predictors of increased tobacco use could be found for any subgroups, including disaster trauma exposures. Drug use (largely cannabis) increased initially but decreased by 3 years after the attacks. Drug use disorders, which were associated with other psychiatric disorders, were rare and primarily began prior to 9/11. CONCLUSIONS The overall lack of increase of tobacco use or predictors of increased use found after the disaster and the low rates of new drug use disorders suggest that universal screening for increased tobacco use and new drug use disorders by clinicians may have very low yield. Regardless, postdisaster settings provide suitable circumstances for general discussions about self-care including concern for increased tobacco use, avoiding drug use, and guidance on healthier means of managing stress than through substances. Additionally, because existing tobacco and drug use are endemic in populations, the postdisaster setting can serve as a reminder for clinicians to assess these problems generally and provide appropriate referrals when needed. Postdisaster circumstances offer opportunities to disseminate and promote public health messages and address issues of substance use and misuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol S. North
- The Altshuler Center for Education and Research at Metrocare Services, Dallas, Texas, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Betty Pfefferbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center College of Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
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Nilaweera D, Phyo AZZ, Teshale AB, Htun HL, Wrigglesworth J, Gurvich C, Freak-Poli R, Ryan J. Lifetime posttraumatic stress disorder as a predictor of mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Psychiatry 2023; 23:229. [PMID: 37032341 PMCID: PMC10084620 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-023-04716-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) could potentially increase the risk of mortality, and there is a need for a meta-analysis to quantify this association. This study aims to determine the extent to which PTSD is a predictor of mortality. METHODS EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO were searched systematically on 12th February 2020, with updated searches conducted in July 2021, and December 2022 (PROSPERO CRD42019142971). Studies involving community-dwelling participants with a diagnosis of PTSD or PTSD symptoms, and a comparator group of individuals without PTSD, and which assessed mortality risk, were included. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on studies reporting Odds Ratio (OR), Hazard Ratio (HR), and Risk Ratio (RR), and subgroup analysis was also performed by age, sex, type of trauma experienced, PTSD diagnosis, and cause of death. RESULTS A total of 30 eligible studies of mostly good methodological quality were identified, with a total of more than 2.1 million participants with PTSD. The majority of studies involved male-dominated, veteran populations. PTSD was associated with a 47% (95% CI: 1.06-2.04) greater risk of mortality across six studies that reported OR/RR, and a 32% increased risk across 18 studies which reported time to death (HR: 1.32, 95% CI: 1.10-1.59). There was very high study heterogeneity (I2 > 94%) and this was not explained by the prespecified subgroup analysis. CONCLUSION PTSD is associated with increased mortality risk, however further research is required amongst civilians, involving women, and in individuals from underdeveloped countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dinuli Nilaweera
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Aung Zaw Zaw Phyo
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Achamyeleh Birhanu Teshale
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Htet Lin Htun
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Jo Wrigglesworth
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Caroline Gurvich
- Department of Psychiatry, Central Clinical School, Alfred Hospital and Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 2004, Australia
| | - Rosanne Freak-Poli
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Joanne Ryan
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 5, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.
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Dowling FG, Lowe SM. Substance use and related disorders among persons exposed to the 9/11 terrorist attacks: Essentials for screening and intervention. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH 2023; 78:261-266. [PMID: 36847147 DOI: 10.1080/19338244.2023.2180614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of research supports the association between direct exposure to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, increased rates of alcohol and substance use and elevated risk of subsequent diagnosis with trauma-related and substance use disorders. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most diagnosed psychiatric illness in individuals who witnessed the 9/11 attacks or participated in disaster response efforts, and substance use disorders (SUDs) are highly comorbid with PTSD. The presence of both conditions poses challenges for clinical management and highlights the importance of screening and offering intervention to this at-risk population. This paper provides background on substance use, SUDs, and co-occurring PTSD in trauma exposed populations, describes best practices for identifying harmful substance use, the role of psychotherapy and medication for addiction treatment (MAT), and recommendations for management of co-occurring SUD and PTSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank G Dowling
- Department of Psychiatry, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- World Trade Center Health Program, Stony Brook Clinical Center of Excellence, Commack, NY, USA
| | - Sandra M Lowe
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- World Trade Center Health Program, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Clinical Center of Excellence, New York, NY, USA
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Seil K, Takemoto E, Farfel MR, Huynh M, Li J. Exploratory Case Study of Suicide among a Sample of 9/11 Survivors. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:57. [PMID: 35010318 PMCID: PMC8751231 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research has found higher than expected suicide mortality among rescue/recovery workers (RRWs) enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Registry (WTCHR). Whether any enrollee suicides are related to the decedents' experiences on 9/11 is unknown. We abstracted medical examiner file data to learn more about 9/11-related circumstances of suicides among WTCHR enrollees. METHODS We identified 35 enrollee suicide cases that occurred in New York City using linked vital records data. We reviewed medical examiner files on each case, abstracting demographic and circumstantial data. We also reviewed survey data collected from each case at WTCHR enrollment (2003-2004) and available subsequent surveys to calculate descriptive statistics. RESULTS Cases were mostly non-Hispanic White (66%), male (83%), and middle-aged (median 58 years). Nineteen decedents (54%) were RRWs, and 32% of them worked at the WTC site for >90 days compared to 18% of the RRW group overall. In the medical examiner files of two cases, accounts from family mentioned 9/11-related circumstances, unprompted. All deaths occurred during 2004-2018, ranging from one to four cases per year. Leading mechanisms were hanging/suffocation (26%), firearm (23%), and jump from height (23%). Sixty percent of the cases had depression mentioned in the files, but none mentioned posttraumatic stress disorder. CONCLUSIONS RRWs may be at particular risk for suicide, as those who worked at the WTC site for long periods appeared to be more likely to die by suicide than other RRWs. Mental health screening and treatment must continue to be prioritized for the 9/11-exposed population. More in-depth investigations of suicides can elucidate the ongoing impacts of 9/11.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kacie Seil
- New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, Queens, NY 11101, USA; (E.T.); (M.R.F.); (J.L.)
| | - Erin Takemoto
- New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, Queens, NY 11101, USA; (E.T.); (M.R.F.); (J.L.)
| | - Mark R. Farfel
- New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, Queens, NY 11101, USA; (E.T.); (M.R.F.); (J.L.)
| | - Mary Huynh
- New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Vital Statistics, New York, NY 10013, USA;
| | - Jiehui Li
- New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, World Trade Center Health Registry, Queens, NY 11101, USA; (E.T.); (M.R.F.); (J.L.)
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Giesinger I, Li J, Takemoto E, Cone JE, Farfel MR, Brackbill RM. Association Between Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Mortality Among Responders and Civilians Following the September 11, 2001, Disaster. JAMA Netw Open 2020; 3:e1920476. [PMID: 32022879 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.20476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been associated with increased mortality, primarily in studies of veterans. The World Trade Center Health Registry (Registry) provides a unique opportunity to study the association between PTSD and mortality among a population exposed to the World Trade Center attacks in New York, New York, on September 11, 2001 (9/11). OBJECTIVES To assess whether 9/11-related probable PTSD (PTSD) is associated with increased mortality risk, as well as whether this association differs when including repeated measures of PTSD over time vs a single baseline assessment. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A longitudinal cohort study of 63 666 Registry enrollees (29 270 responders and 34 396 civilians) was conducted from September 5, 2003, to December 31, 2016, with PTSD assessments at baseline (wave 1: 2003-2004) and 3 follow-up time points (wave 2: 2006-2007, wave 3: 2011-2012, wave 4: 2015-2016). Data analyses were conducted from December 4, 2018, to May 20, 2019. EXPOSURES Posttraumatic stress disorder was defined using the 17-item PTSD Checklist-Specific (PCL-S) self-report measure (score ≥50) at each wave (waves 1-4). Baseline PTSD was defined using wave 1 PCL-S, and time-varying PTSD was defined using the PCL-S assessments from all 4 waves. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Mortality outcomes were ascertained through National Death Index linkage from 2003 to 2016 and defined as all-cause, cardiovascular, and external-cause mortality. RESULTS Of 63 666 enrollees (38 883 men [61.1%]; mean [SD] age at 9/11, 40.4 [10.4] years), 6689 (10.8%) had PTSD at baseline (responders: 2702 [9.5%]; civilians: 3987 [12.0%]). Participants who were middle aged (2022 [12.5%]), female (3299 [13.8%]), non-Latino black (1295 [17.0%]), or Latino (1835 [22.2%]) were more likely to have PTSD. During follow-up, 2349 enrollees died (including 230 external-cause deaths and 487 cardiovascular deaths). Among all enrollees in time-varying analyses, PTSD was associated with all-cause, cardiovascular, and external-cause mortality, with adjusted hazard ratios (AHRs) of greater magnitude compared with analyses examining baseline PTSD. Among responders, time-varying PTSD was significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause (AHR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.58-2.32), cardiovascular (AHR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.25-3.04), and external-cause (AHR, 2.40; 95% CI, 1.47-3.91) mortality. Among civilians, time-varying PTSD was significantly associated with increased risk of all-cause (AHR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.28-1.85), cardiovascular (AHR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.15-2.58), and external-cause (AHR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.06-4.19) mortality. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The risk of mortality differed in examination of baseline PTSD vs repeated measures of PTSD over time, suggesting that longitudinal data should be used where possible. Comparable findings between responders and civilians suggest that 9/11-related PTSD is associated with an increased mortality risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Giesinger
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
| | - Jiehui Li
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
| | - Erin Takemoto
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
| | - James E Cone
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
| | - Mark R Farfel
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
| | - Robert M Brackbill
- World Trade Center Health Registry, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Long Island City, New York
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Chen X, Ma T, Yip R, Perumalswami PV, Branch AD, Lewis S, Crane M, Yankelevitz DF, Henschke CI. Elevated prevalence of moderate-to-severe hepatic steatosis in World Trade Center General Responder Cohort in a program of CT lung screening. Clin Imaging 2019; 60:237-243. [PMID: 31945662 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2019.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS To determine the prevalence of moderate-to-severe hepatic steatosis (HS) and associated risk factors in members of the World Trade Center (WTC) General Responder Cohort (GRC) who qualify for low-dose non-contrast computed tomography for lung cancer screening and compare them to non-WTC participants in the same screening program. METHODS All participants gave written informed consent before participating in this IRB-approved study. Clinical variables and laboratory values were recorded. Hepatic attenuation measurement (Hounsfield unit; HU) was measured on low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) and a threshold attenuation value <40HU indicated moderate-to-severe HS. Bivariate and multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed. Propensity scores (PS) were calculated and inverse probability weighting (IPW) was used to adjust for potential confounders when comparing the WTC with non-WTC participants. RESULTS The prevalence of moderate-to-severe HS was 16.2% among 154 WTC participants compared to 5.3% among 170 non-WTC participants. In WTC members, moderate-to-severe HS was associated with higher BMI, higher laboratory liver function tests, and former smoking status. Using PS analysis and IPW to account for potential confounders, the odds ratio for moderate-to-severe HS was 3.4-fold higher (95% confidence interval: 1.7-6.7) in the WTC participants compared with non-WTC participants. Moderate-to-severe HS was also associated with higher BMI and former smoker status. CONCLUSION Prevalence of moderate-to-severe HS was >3-fold higher in the WTC-GRC group than in other participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangmeng Chen
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China; Department of Radiology, Jiangmen Central Hospital, Jiangmen 529030, China
| | - Teng Ma
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States; Department of Radiology, Tong Ren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100730, China
| | - Rowena Yip
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Ponni V Perumalswami
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Andrea D Branch
- Division of Liver Diseases, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Sara Lewis
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Michael Crane
- Department of Environmental Medicine & Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - David F Yankelevitz
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States
| | - Claudia I Henschke
- Department of Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, United States.
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