Psychological morbidity among coal miners compared to other occupations in Appalachia

Depressive symptoms, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common morbidities among coal miners, but the risk of these morbidities has not been analyzed relative to other occupations taking into account relevant covariates.

Using random digit dialing, we surveyed men aged 50 or over with a history of employment who resided in counties in Appalachia with high coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) mortality rates. We used the Primary Care Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD) Screen and the Brief Trauma Questionnaire to query specific traumatic experiences. We used the Patient Health Questionnaire scale to assess depression symptoms and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder questionnaire to measure anxiety. Multivariable logistic regression analyzed associations between coal mining and depression, anxiety, and PTSD, adjusting for trauma, smoking and demographics.

Of 1,428 participants, 233 (16.3%) reported coal mining employment. Coal mining was associated with increased odds of depression (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.4) and anxiety (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.7). Among those with any trauma (n = 711), coal mining was not associated with increased risk of PTSD (OR 0.80; 95% CI 0.5 to 1.3]. Non-coal trauma was associated with three-fold increased odds of anxiety (OR 3.2; 95% CI 2.0 to 5.1); for coal trauma, anxiety was associated with six-fold increased odds (OR 6.0; 95% CI 2.9 to 12.4).

Appalachian region coal miners carry an increased burden of depression and anxiety. This should be recognized by clinicians and at a population level, as worthy of individual and public health intervention.