Re-experiencing 9/11-Related PTSD Symptoms Following Exposure to Hurricane Sandy.

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Trauma Studies
• Disaster Mental Health

Background:

• Understanding pre-existing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms is vital for screening individuals exposed to multiple traumas.
• This study investigated the link between Hurricane Sandy exposure and PTSD symptoms related to the September 11, 2001 (9/11) attacks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the association between Hurricane Sandy exposure and re-experiencing symptoms of 9/11 trauma.
• To identify risk factors for developing PTSD symptoms after a subsequent traumatic event in a population with prior trauma exposure.

Main Methods:

• Survey data from 4,220 adult World Trade Center Health Registry enrollees post-Hurricane Sandy (2013).
• Re-experiencing 9/11 symptoms measured using the PTSD Checklist intrusion domain.
• Multivariable logistic regression adjusted for socio-demographics, social support, and prior life-threatening events.

Main Results:

• 16.3% of enrollees reported re-experiencing 9/11 symptoms post-Sandy.
• Sandy exposure was significantly associated with re-experiencing 9/11 symptoms only in those not symptomatic prior to Sandy.
• High Sandy exposure increased the odds of re-experiencing 9/11 symptoms by 2.8 times in previously non-symptomatic individuals.

Conclusions:

• Individuals with a history of trauma require early mental health screening and counseling after subsequent traumatic events.
• This is particularly important for 9/11-exposed populations, irrespective of their pre-existing PTSD status.