Citation

Webber MP, Glaser MS, Weakley J, Soo J, Ye F, Zeig-Owens R, Weiden MD, Nolan A, Aldrich TK, Kelly K, Prezant D. Am. J. Ind. Med. 2011; 54(9): 661-671.

Affiliation

Department of Epidemiology and Population Health Montefiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/ajim.20993

PMID

21966080

PMCID

PMC3181470

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study examines the prevalence of physician-diagnosed respiratory conditions and mental health symptoms in firefighters and emergency medical service workers up to 9 years after rescue/recovery efforts at the World Trade Center (WTC). METHODS: We analyzed FDNY physician and self-reported diagnoses by WTC exposure and quintiles of pulmonary function (FEV1%predicted). We used screening instruments to assess probable PTSD and probable depression. RESULTS: FDNY physicians most commonly diagnosed asthma (8.8%) and sinusitis (9.7%). The highest prevalence of physician-diagnosed obstructive airway disease (OAD) was in the lowest FEV1%predicted quintile. Participants who arrived earliest on 9/11 were more likely to have physician-diagnosed asthma (OR=1.4). 7% had probable PTSD. 19.4% had probable depression. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported and physician-diagnosed respiratory conditions remain common, especially among those who arrived earliest at the WTC site. OAD was associated with the lowest pulmonary function. Since respiratory and mental health conditions remain prevalent, ongoing monitoring and treatment is important.

Language: en