Comorbid trends in World Trade Center cough syndrome and probable posttraumatic stress disorder in firefighters.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We describe the relationship between World Trade Center (WTC) cough syndrome symptoms, pulmonary function, and symptoms consistent with probable posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in WTC-exposed firefighters in the first year post-September 11, 2001 (baseline), and 3 to 4 years later (follow-up).

Methods

Five thousand three hundred sixty-three firefighters completed pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and questionnaires at both times. Relationships among WTC cough syndrome, probable PTSD, and PFTs were analyzed using simple and multivariable models. We also examined the effects of cofactors, including WTC exposure.

Results

WTC cough syndrome was found in 1,561 firefighters (29.1%) at baseline and 1,186 (22.1%) at follow-up, including 559 with delayed onset (p

SUBMITTER: Niles JK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3205843 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature