Quality of life, depression and anxiety in young male patients with silicosis due to denim sandblasting.

The aim of this study was to estimate the quality of life, depression and anxiety in patients with silicosis due to denim sandblasting. This study was conducted on 50 young male patients with silicosis and 30 controls. A socio-demographic data form, Short Form-36 (SF-36), the Beck depression inventory (BDI) and the Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) were used to determine quality of life, depression and anxiety. The mean scores of SF-36, BDI and BAI were higher in the patients than in the controls. Correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between all scales of SF-36 and BDI scores. Additionally, there was strong negative correlation between five scales of SF-36 and BAI scores. We suggest that silicosis might be detrimental to the quality of life and increase depression and anxiety in patients with silicosis due to denim sandblasting.

[Factors affecting the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder after a terrorist attack]. / Bir Terörist Saldiri Sonrasinda Travma Sonrasi Stres Bozuklugu Gelisimini Etkileyen Risk Faktörleri.

OBJECTIVE: On 3 January 2008 explosives placed in an automobile on a thoroughfare in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey exploded in a terrorist attack. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors for the diagnosis of and the rate of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among individuals who were eye- or earwitnesses to the explosion 1 and 3 months after the explosion. METHODS: Among the residents and workers in close proximity to the explosion site, 216 individuals who were eye- or earwitnesses to the explosion were included in the study. A sociodemographic data form and a traumatic stress symptom scale were administered to the participants 1 and 3 months following the explosion. RESULTS: In all, 12.5% of the participants were diagnosed with PTSD 1 month post-explosion versus 9.6% 3 months post-explosion. While history of psychiatric disorder and physical injury were risk factors for PTSD 1 month post-explosion, risk factors 3 months post-explosion was history of psychiatric disorder. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD occurs at high rates in individuals exposed to terrorist attacks. More studies following such events are required in Turkey. In light of these results it is advised that individuals at risk of PTSD receive therapeutic and preventive interventions provided by mental health professionals.