@article{ref1,
title="Posttraumatic stress and other health consequences of catastrophic avalanches: A 16-year follow-up of survivors",
journal="Journal of anxiety disorders",
year="2015",
author="Thordardottir, Edda Bjork and Valdimarsdottir, Unnur Anna and Hansdottir, Ingunn and Resnick, Heidi and Shipherd, Jillian C. and Gudmundsdottir, Berglind",
volume="32",
number="",
pages="103-111",
abstract="To date, no study has investigated the effects of avalanches on survivor's health beyond the first years. The aim of this study was to examine long-term health status 16 years after exposure to avalanches using a matched cohort design. Mental health, sleep quality and somatic symptoms among avalanche survivors (n=286) and non-exposed controls (n=357) were examined. <br><br>RESULTS showed that 16% of survivors currently experience avalanche-specific PTSD symptoms (PDS score>14). In addition, survivors presented with increased risk of PTSD hyperarousal symptoms (>85th percentile) (aRR=1.83; 98.3% CI [1.23-2.74]); sleep-related problems (PSQI score>5) (aRR=1.34; 95% CI [1.05-1.70]); PTSD-related sleep disturbances (PSQI-A score≥4) (aRR=1.86; 95% CI [1.30-2.67]); musculoskeletal and nervous system problems (aRR 1.43; 99% CI 1.06-1.93) and gastrointestinal problems (aRR 2.16; 99% CI 1.21-3.86) compared to the unexposed group. <br><br>RESULTS highlight the need for treatment for long-term PTSD symptoms and sleep disruption in disaster communities.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0887-6185",
doi="10.1016/j.janxdis.2015.03.005",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2015.03.005"
}