Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-q99xh Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-24T19:41:42.909Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Posttraumatic stress disorder in victims of the March 11 attacks in Madrid admitted to a hospital emergency room: 6-month follow-up

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2020

D. Fraguas*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Gregorio Marañón General Hospital, Ibiza 43, CP 28009Madrid, Spain
S. Terán
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Gregorio Marañón General Hospital, Ibiza 43, CP 28009Madrid, Spain
J. Conejo-Galindo
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Gregorio Marañón General Hospital, Ibiza 43, CP 28009Madrid, Spain
O. Medina
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Gregorio Marañón General Hospital, Ibiza 43, CP 28009Madrid, Spain
E. Sainz Cortón
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Gregorio Marañón General Hospital, Ibiza 43, CP 28009Madrid, Spain
L. Ferrando
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Gregorio Marañón General Hospital, Ibiza 43, CP 28009Madrid, Spain
R. Gabriel
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Gregorio Marañón General Hospital, Ibiza 43, CP 28009Madrid, Spain
C. Arango
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Gregorio Marañón General Hospital, Ibiza 43, CP 28009Madrid, Spain
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail address: [email protected] (D. Fraguas).
Get access

Abstract

Purpose:

To determine the change in prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in victims of the March 11 attacks and their relatives, 1 and 6 months after the attacks.

Subjects and methods

Evaluation of PTSD symptoms using the Davidson Trauma Scale (DTS) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) in a sample of 56 patients admitted to an emergency room of a general hospital, and assessment of PTSD symptoms in relatives of the patients.

Results:

At Month 1, 41.1% of patients (31.3% of males and 54.2% of females) presented with PTSD. At Month 6, this figure was 40.9% (30.4% of males and 52.4% of females). There was a significant improvement in perception of health among females between Month 1 and Month 6. Relatives presented similar DTS scores at baseline and at 6 months.

Discussion:

We verified that rates of PTSD did not vary substantively between the two evaluations. PTSD symptoms positively correlated with psychological health involvement. This correlation points out that both PTSD symptoms and subjective general health involvement are part of the psychological response to trauma.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of PTSD symptoms was high and remained stable between Month 1 and Month 6, while subjective perception of health improved significantly.

Type
Original articles

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Alonso, J., Angermeyer, M.C., Bernert, S., Bruffaerts, R., Brugha, T.S., Bryson, H.et al.ESEMeD/MHEDEA 2000 Investigators, European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) Project. Prevalence of mental disorders in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) Project. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. Suppl 2004(420):2127.Google ScholarPubMed
American Psychiatric Association. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th ed.Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Press; 1994.Google Scholar
Banco de España. Los efectos de los atentados del 11 de marzo de 2004, según los indicadores coyunturales. Mayo: Boletín Económico; 2004. p. 3138.Google Scholar
Bobes, J., Calcedo-Barba, A., García, M., Francois, M., Rico-Villademoros, F., González, M.P.et al.Evaluation of the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of 5 questionnaires for the evaluation of post-traumatic stress syndrome. Actas Esp. Psiquiatr 2000;28(4):207218.Google ScholarPubMed
Boscarino, J.A., Adams, R.E., Stuber, J., Galea, S.Disparities in mental health treatment following the World Trade Center Disaster: implications for mental health care and health services research. J. Trauma. Stress 2005;18(4):287297.10.1002/jts.20039CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Breslau, N., Davis, G.C., Andreski, P., Peterson, E.Traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder in an urban population of young adults. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 1991;48(3):216222.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Breslau, N., Davis, G.C.Posttraumatic stress disorder in an urban population of young adults: risk factors for chronicity. Am. J. Psychiatry 1992;149(5):671675.Google Scholar
Breslau, N., Kessler, R.C., Chilcoat, H.D., Schultz, L.R., Davis, G.C., Andreski, P.Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in the community. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 1998;55(7):626632.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Corradi, J., Fagen, P.W., Garreton, M., editors. Fear at the edge: state terror and resistance in Latin America. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press; 1992.Google Scholar
Clave 20. Revista Interna de SAMUR-Protección Civil “Villa de Madrid”. Especial 11 de Marzo. Junio 2004.Google Scholar
Davidson, J.R., Book, S.W., Colket, J.T., Tupler, L.A., Roth, S., David, D.et al.Assessment of a new self-rating scale for post-traumatic stress disorder. Psychol. Med 1997;27(1):153160.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ehlers, A., Mayou, R.A., Bryant, B.Psychological predictors of chronic posttraumatic stress disorder after motor vehicle accidents. J. Abnorm. Psychol 1998;107:508519.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
El País. La cifras de la tragedia. 12 de Septiembre. Madrid; 2004: 20.Google Scholar
Freedman, S.A., Gluck, N., Tuval-Mashiach, R., Brandes, D., Peri, T., Shalev, A.Y.Gender differences in responses to traumatic events: a prospective study. J. Trauma. Stress 2002;15(5):407413.10.1023/A:1020189425935CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ferrando, L., Bobes, J., Gibert, J., Soto, M., Soto, O.Mini Entrevista Neuropsiquiátrica Internacional. Versión Española. En: Banco de instrumentos básicos para la práctica de la psiquiatría clínica. 2ª edición. Bobes, J. et al eds. Ars Médica 2002.Google Scholar
Galea, S., Ahern, J., Resnick, H., Kilpatrick, D., Bucuvalas, M., Gold, J.Psychological sequelae of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City. N. Engl. J. Med 2002;346:982987.10.1056/NEJMsa013404CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Galea, S., Resnick, H.Posttraumatic stress disorder in the general population after mass terrorist incidents: considerations about the nature of exposure. CNS Spectr 2005;10(2):107115.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Galea, S., Resnick, H., Ahern, J., Gold, J., Bucuvalas, M., Kilpatrick, D.et al.Posttraumatic stress disorder in Manhattan, New York City, after the September 11th terrorist attacks. J. Urban Health 2002;79(3):340353.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Galea, S., Vlahov, D., Resnick, H., Ahern, J., Susser, E., Gold, J.et al.Trends of probable Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in New York City after the September 11 Terrorist Attacks. Am. J. Epidemiol 2003;158:514524.10.1093/aje/kwg187CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Galea, S., Vlahov, D., Resnick, H., Kilpatrick, D., Bucuvalas, M.J., Morgan, M.D.et al.An investigation of the psychological effects of the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York City: developing and implementing research in the acute postdisaster period. CNS Spectr 2002;7(8):585587 (593–6).10.1017/S1092852900018198CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goenjian, A.K., Walling, D., Steinberg, A.M., Karayan, I., Najarian, L.M., Pynoos, R.A prospective study of posttraumatic stress and depressive reactions among treated and untreated adolescents 5 years after a catastrophic disaster. Am. J. Psychiatry 2005;162(12):23022308.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goldberg, D.P., Hillier, V.F.A scaled version of the General Health Questionnaire. Psychol. Med 1979;9(1):139145.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jehel, L., Paterniti, S., Brunet, A., Duchet, C., Guelfi, J.D.Prediction of the occurrence and intensity of post-traumatic stress disorder in victims 32 months after bomb attack. Eur. Psychiatry 2003;18(4):172176.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kessler, R.C.Posttraumatic stress disorder: the burden to the individual and to society. J. Clin. Psychiatry 61suppl. 52000 412.Google Scholar
Kessler, R.C., Berglund, P., Demler, O., Jin, R., Merikangas, K.R., Walters, E.E.Lifetime prevalence and age-of-onset distributions of DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 2005;62(6):593602.10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.593CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kessler, R.C., Chiu, W.T., Demler, O., Merikangas, K.R., Walters, E.E.Prevalence, severity, and comorbidity of 12-month DSM-IV disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 2005;62(6):590592.Google ScholarPubMed
Kessler, R.C., Sonnega, A., Bromet, E., Hughes, M., Nelson, C.B.Posttraumatic stress disorder in the National Comorbidity Survey. Arch. Gen. Psychiatry 1995;52(12):10481060.10.1001/archpsyc.1995.03950240066012CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lauterbach, D., Vora, R., Rakow, M.The relationship between posttraumatic stress disorder and self-reported health problems. Psychosom. Med 2005;67(6):939947.10.1097/01.psy.0000188572.91553.a5CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lobo, A., Pérez Echeverría, M.J., Artal, J.Validity of the scaled version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) in a Spanish population. Psychol. Med 1986;16(1):135140.10.1017/S0033291700002579CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ministerio del Interior. Dirección General de Protección Civil y Emergencias. Reflexiones sobre las actuaciones en materia de protección civil tras los atentados terroristas del 11 de marzo de 2004 en Madrid. 30 de Junio 2004. http://www.proteccioncivil.org/informes/infoactua.htm.Google Scholar
Norris, F.H.Epidemiology of trauma: frequency and impact of different potentially traumatic events on different demographic groups. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol 1992;60(3):409418.10.1037/0022-006X.60.3.409CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Norris, F.H., Friedman, M.J., Watson, P.J., Byrne, C.M., Díaz, E., Kaniasty, K.60,000 disaster victims speak: part I. An empirical review of the empirical literature, 1981-2001. Psychiatry 2002;65(3):207239 (Review).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
North, C.S., Nixon, S.J., Shariat, S., Mallonee, S., McMillen, J.C., Spitznagel, E.L.et al.Psychiatric disorders among survivors of the Oklahoma City bombing. JAMA 1999;282(8):755762 (25).CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
North, C.S., Kawasaki, A., Spitznagel, E.L., Hong, B.A.The course of PTSD, major depression, substance abuse, and somatization after a natural disaster. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis 2004;192(12):823829.10.1097/01.nmd.0000146911.52616.22CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perkonigg, A., Kessler, R.C., Storz, S., Wittchen, H.U.Traumatic events and post-traumatic stress disorder in the community: prevalence, risk factors and comorbidity. Acta Psychiatr. Scand 2000;101(1):4659.10.1034/j.1600-0447.2000.101001046.xCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Perkonigg, A., Pfister, H., Stein, M.B., Hofler, M., Lieb, R., Maercker, A.et al.Longitudinal course of posttraumatic stress disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in a community sample of adolescents and young adults. Am. J. Psychiatry 2005;162(7):13201327.10.1176/appi.ajp.162.7.1320CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Resnick, H.S., Kilpatrick, D.G., Dansky, B.S., Saunders, B.E., Best, C.L.Prevalence of civilian trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in a representative national sample of women. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol 1993;61(6):984991.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rodríguez, P., Serra, J.A.Coordinación general de las actuaciones del 11M en el hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón de Madrid. Med. Clin. (Barc.) 2005;124(suppl. 1):37.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sainz Cortón, E., Gonzalo Franco, S., Gómez Rojo, R.M.Actuación del Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón en los atentados del 11 de marzo. Salud Mental. Med. Clin. (Barc.) 124Suppl. 12005 3941.10.1157/13072638CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Schlenger, W.E., Caddell, J.M., Ebert, L., Jordan, B.K., Rourke, K.M., Wilson, D.et al.Psychological reactions to terrorist attacks: findings from the National Study of Americans’ Reactions to September 11. JAMA 2002;288(5):581588.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shalev, A.Y., Freedman, S.PTSD following terrorist attacks: a prospective evaluation. Am. J. Psychiatry 2005;162:11881191.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shalev, A.Y., Freedman, S., Peri, T., Brandes, D., Sahar, T., Orr, S.P.et al.Prospective study of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Depression following Trauma. Am. J. Psychiatry 1998;155(5):630637.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Sheehan, D.V., Lecrubier, Y., Sheehan, K.H., Amorim, P., Janavs, J., Weiller, E.et al.The Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI): the development and validation of a structured diagnostic psychiatric interview for DSM-IV and ICD-10. J. Clin. Psychiatry 1998;59(suppl. 20):2233.Google ScholarPubMed
Sheehan, D.V., Lecrubier, Y., Sheehan, K.H., Janavs, J., Weiller, E., Keskiner, A.et al.The validity of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) according to the SCID-P and its reliability. Eur. Psychiatry 1997;12:232241.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Silver, R.C., Holman, E.A., McIntosh, D.N., Poulin, M., Gil-Rivas, V.Nationwide longitudinal study of psychological responses to September 11. JAMA 2002;288(10):12351244.10.1001/jama.288.10.1235CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Silver, R.C., Holman, E.A., McIntosh, D.N., Poulin, M., Gil-Rivas, V.Nationwide longitudinal study of psychological responses to September 11. JAMA 2002;288(10):12351244.10.1001/jama.288.10.1235CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Shlosberg, A., Strous, R.D.Long-Term Follow-Up (32 years) of PTSD in Israeli Yom Kippur War Veterans. J. Nerv. Ment. Dis 2005;193(10):693696.10.1097/01.nmd.0000180744.97263.d3CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
SPSS. SPSS for Windows, version 12.0. Illinois, Chicago, USA: SPSS Ins; 2002.Google Scholar
Yehuda, R., Halligan, S.L., Bierer, L.M.Relationship of parental trauma exposure and PTSD to PTSD, depressive and anxiety disorders in offspring. J. Psychiatr. Res 2001;35(5):261270.10.1016/S0022-3956(01)00032-2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yehuda, R., Kahana, B., Schmeidler, J., Southwick, S.M., Wilson, S., Giller, E.L.Impact of cumulative lifetime trauma and recent stress on current posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in holocaust survivors. Am. J. Psychiatry 1995;152(12):18151818.Google ScholarPubMed
Yehuda, R., McFarlane, A.C., Shalev, A.Y.Predicting the development of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder from the acute response to a traumatic event. Biol. Psychiatry 1998;44:13051313.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Yehuda, R., Schmeidler, J., Wainberg, M., Binder-Brynes, K., Duvdevani, T.Vulnerability to posttraumatic stress disorder in adult offspring of Holocaust survivors. Am. J. Psychiatry 1998;155(9):11631171.10.1176/ajp.155.9.1163CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Weissman, M.M., Neria, Y., Das, A., Feder, A., Blanco, C., Lantigua, R.et al.Gender differences in posttraumatic stress disorder among primary care patients after the World Trade Center attack of September 11, 2001. Gend. Med 2005;2(2):7687.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.