• Anxiety and mood
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.83-90
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• 2020

Objective : Heart rate variability (HRV) is known to reflect autonomic nervous system activity. Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are reported to have lower HRVs. We attempted to find HRV indices with head up tilt position that reflect the symptoms well in order to evaluate PTSD symptoms. Methods : Sixty-seven patients with PTSD and 72 patients without PTSD were assessed using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5), the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. HRV was measured in the head-up tilt position. We collected data regarding heart rate (HR), standard deviation of the NN intervals (SDNN), the square root of the mean squared differences of successive NN intervals (RMSSD), log low-frequency (LNLF) and log high-frequency (LNHF). Results : The value of LNHF was different according to presence or absence of PTSD after head-up tilt position. In the findings of the association between PTSD symptoms and HRV indices as based on head-up tilt, LNHF had a significant correlation with the total score of PCL-5. Conclusion : The reduction of the high-frequency component of HRVs in the PTSD group might reflect more PTSD symptoms.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.86-92
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• 2012

Objective : This study investigated the relationship between the resilience and posttraumatic stress symptoms, as well as comorbid symptoms in firefighters. Methods : We collected 764 firefighters, who worked at six fire department stations in Gangwon-do. We investigated the impact of event scale-revised (IES-R), the life events checklists (LEC), Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC), Beck depression inventory (BDI), state trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and alcohol use disorder identification test (AUDIT). Full PTSD groups, partial PTSD groups and non-PTSD groups, which were classified by IES-R scores, were compared in the LEC, CD-RISC, BDI, STAI and AUDIT, ; multiple linear regression analyses were done for independent predictors of variables. Results : Of the 764 firefighters, there were significant differences in LEC (p<0.001), CD-RISC (p<0.001), BDI (p<0.001), and AUDIT (p=0.001) among the full PTSD groups, partial PTSD groups and non-PTSD groups. However, STAI did not show significant difference among three groups. In multiple regression analysis, CD-RISC (${\beta}=-0.168$, p<0.001), LEC (${\beta}=0.211$, p<0.001) and AUDIT (${\beta}=0.115$, p=0.001) were significant predictors for IES-R. Conclusion : The results of the present study suggested that resilience might be a protective factor in PTSD and comorbid symptoms of PTSD.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.86-95
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigated associations between perceptions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in workers at hospitals designated to treat COVID-19, as well as the difference in the magnitude of these associations by occupational type and previous Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) experience. Methods: The participants were workers at hospitals designated to treat COVID-19 who completed a questionnaire about their perceptions related to COVID-19, work experience during the previous MERS-CoV outbreak, and symptoms of PTSD ascertained by the PTSD Checklist for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Participants' characteristics were compared using the chi-square test. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the associations between perceptions and the prevalence of PTSD, stratified by occupational type and previous MERS-CoV experience. Results: Non-medical personnel showed stronger associations with PTSD than medical personnel according to general fear (odds ratio [OR], 6.67; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.92 to 23.20), shortages of supplies (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.56), and issue-specific fear (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.05 to 1.59). Those with prior MERS-CoV quarantine experience were more prone to PTSD than those without such experience in terms of general fear (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.37), shortages of supplies (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.10 to 1.40), and issue-specific fear (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.38). Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, non-medical personnel tended to have higher odds of being categorized as having PTSD. Workers with prior MERS-CoV experience were more susceptible than those without such experience. These findings suggest the need for timely interventions to manage human resources for a sustainable quarantine system.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.67-73
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• 2024

Purpose: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is prevalent and is associated with protracted recovery and worse outcomes after injury. This study compared PTSD prevalence using the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) with the prevalence of PTSD risk using the Injured Trauma Survivor Screen (ITSS). Methods: Adult trauma patients at a level I trauma center were screened with the PCL-5 (sample 1) at follow-up visits or using the ITSS as inpatients (sample 2). Results: Sample 1 (n=285) had significantly fewer patients with gunshot wounds than sample 2 (n=45) (8.1% vs. 22.2%, P=0.003), nonsignificantly fewer patients with a fall from a height (17.2% vs. 28.9%, P=0.06), and similar numbers of patients with motor vehicle collision (40.7% vs. 37.8%, P=0.07). Screening was performed at a mean of 154 days following injury for sample 1 versus 7.1 days in sample 2. The mean age of the patients in sample 1 was 45.4 years, and the mean age of those in sample 2 was 46.1 years. The two samples had similar proportions of female patients (38.2% vs. 40.0%, P=0.80). The positive screening rate was 18.9% in sample 1 and 40.0% in sample 2 (P=0.001). For specific mechanisms, the positive rates were as follows: motor vehicle collisions, 17.2% in sample 1 and 17.6% in sample 2 (P>0.999); fall from height, 12.2% in sample 1 and 30.8% in sample 2 (P=0.20); and gunshot wounds, 39.1% in sample 1 and 80.0% in sample 2 (P=0.06). Conclusions: The ITSS was obtained earlier than PCL-5 and may identify PTSD in more orthopedic trauma patients. Differences in the frequency of PTSD may also be related to the screening tool itself, or underlying patient risk factors, such as mechanism of injury, or mental or social health.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.63-68
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study was designed to estimate the effects of Oriental medical treatment on posttraumatic stress disorder patient due to a series of traffic accidents by using SCL-90-R. Methods : We studied 20 patients who were admitted to Daegu Haany University Oriental Hospital from October2006 to May 2007. Results : 4 symptoms of SCL-90-R, somatization, obsessive-compulsive, depression and anxiety were significantly different when comparing after-treatment with before-treatment. But, 5 symptoms of SCL-90-R, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation and psychoticism showed no difference between after-treatment with, before-treatment measurements. The total impact or SCL-90-R was significant comparing after-treatment with before-treatment measurements. Conclusions : We concluded that there was a significant effectof Oriental medical treatment on posttraumatic stress disorder patients caused by a seriesof traffic accident. However, the findings of this study need to be confirmed in more patients with further studies.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2019

Purpose: Childhood leukemia is a serious trauma affecting both adolescents and their parents, who experience painful process. However, adolescents with leukemia and their parents also experience positive changes, which is referred to as posttraumatic growth. We examined posttraumatic growth, core beliefs, impact of event, and event-related rumination in adolescents within 5 years of a diagnosis of childhood leukemia and their parents. Methods: The participants were 68 adolescents with childhood leukemia (aged 13~18 years) and their parents, who were recruited from C university hospital in Korea from May to September 2016. The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Core Belief Inventory, Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and Event-related Rumination Inventory were completed by the adolescents and their parents. The mean scores and correlations between variables were investigated for both set of participants. Results: Parents showed significantly higher levels of posttraumatic growth, disruption of core beliefs, impact of event, and invasive rumination than adolescents. Disruption of core beliefs and deliberate rumination were positively correlated with posttraumatic growth in both groups. Conclusion: Nursing intervention programs that involve modifying core beliefs and inducing a positive thought can help adolescents with leukemia and their parents grow after traumatic events.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.42-48
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• 2008

Objective : Due to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the relative limitations in the treatment of patients with PTSD, a variety of medications and treatment algorithms for PTSD have been investigated. This study was conducted to investigate the trends in the pharmacotherapy used in the treatment of inpatients with PTSD at a single university hospital in Korea. Methods : Data from 75 patients diagnosed with PTSD according to the DSM-IV criteria from January 1998 to December 2007 were collected. Demographic data and clinical data, including medications prescribed, were investigated. Results : Thirty-three of the 75 subjects included in this study were male, and 42 were female. Considering psychiatric comorbidity, depressive disorder, cognitive disorder, psychotic disorder and anxiety disorder were reported in order. Approximately 97% of the subjects were treated with antidepressants, including paroxetine in 54.7%, and 24% of the subjects were treated with two different kinds of antidepressants. In addition, atypical antipsychotics were prescribed in 33.3% of patients, mood stabilizers in 17.3%, and anxiolytics in 94.7% of the subjects. Conclusion : In our study, various kinds of antidepressants were prescribed for most patients with PTSD. Antipsychotics and mood stabilizers were added to the treatment regimens of some subjects, and anxiolytics were added to the treatment regimens of most subjects. Despite its many limitations, this study shows the prescription pattern and trends in PTSD treatment in Korea. We hope that these preliminary data would be helpful for the development and integration of a practical guideline for the treatment of PTSD in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.149-162
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the differences in quality of sleep, job stress, fatigue, job satisfaction, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) according to the type of work in fire-fighting officers. Methods: This study used an online questionnaire. The participants were 322 fire-fighting officers. The data were collected from May 2 to 20, 2018. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0. Results: According to the work styles of fire fighting officers, job stress, job satisfaction, and PTSD showed significant differences. However, There were no differences in sleep quality and fatigue. There were significant differences in job stress, job satisfaction, and PTSD in those in roles of fire suppression and rescue emergency medical technicians and this result suggests a way to improve the quality of sleep, job stress, job satisfaction and fatigue for fire-fighting officers who suffer from PTSD. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, mental health of fire-fighting officers will be improved through basic data for psychotherapy which can overcome the quality of sleep, job stress, fatigue, job satisfaction and PTSD according to the work style of fire-fighting officers.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.36-43
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• 2003

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference of cognitve function among patients with posttraumatic stress disorder according to severity of symptoms. Methods: The subjects were 90 psychiatric inpatients and outpatients with posttraumatic stress disorer(by DSM-IV criteria) after traffic accident. The severity of symptoms was assessed by MMPI subscales; depression, psychasthenia, schizophrenia. The impairment of cognitive function was assessed by Korean Wechsler Intelligence Scale(K-WAIS). Based on scores of the MMPI subscales, the patients were divided into high group(above 70 percentile) and low group(below 30 percentile). We estimated the difference of the K-WAIS score and subtest score in the low group and high group of the MMPI subscales by indedpendent t-test. Results: The scores of high group is significantly higher in the subtests of information, vocabulary, similarity, picture completion, and picture arrangement than the low group for psychasthenia subscale of MMPI. And the score of high group is significantly higher in full scale I.Q., verbal I.Q., performance I.Q., verbal subscales except digit span and simiarity, and performance subscales than low group for schiozphrenia subscale of MMPI. Conclusion: It was found cognitive function was more impaired in the group of PTSD with severe symptom compared to the group of PTSD with mild symptoms. We suggest that psychiatrist should consider various cognitive approaches as well as pharmacotherapy in the management of PTSD.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2010

Objectives : This study investigated the influence of traumatic experience on the ego identity, self-esteem, and general psychopathology of adolescent North Korean refugees. Methods : The participants were 146 adolescents North Korean refugees who attended H High School for North Korean refugees. We divided the subjects into two groups according to the severity of their traumatic experience : the more-traumatic-experience group and the less-traumatic-experience group. Each group performed self-report assessments including an assessment to reveal demographic characteristics, the Traumatic Experiences Scale for North Korean Defectors, the Scale for Ego identity, the Scale for Self-esteem and the Symptom Check-90-Revision (SCL-90-R). Statistical analysis of t-test and multiple regression utilized SPSS 12.0 for Window for comparison between more-traumatic-experience group and less-traumatic-experience group. Results : The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder among adolescents North Korean refugees was 37%. The factor with the greatest influence on ego identity was length of time living in South Korea, while, for self-esteem the most influential factor was perception of health. The more-traumatic-experience group had lower self-esteem scores on some subscales of the Scale for Ego identity. They had higher scores on all SCL-90-R subscales than the less-traumatic-experience group. Conclusion : Adolescent North Korean refugees experienced high rates of posttraumatic stress disorder. The more traumatic-experience-group had lower self esteem and poorer ego identity and mental health than the less-traumatic-experience group.