July 22, 2011 – psychological reactions in patients at the accident and emergency department in Oslo

Abstract

Following the bomb attack on the government quarter on 22July 2011, many of the injured were treated at the accident and emergency department in Oslo. The patients (n=79) were sent a questionnaire ten months after their treatment and again after three years. A total of 42patients responded on one or both occasions. Post-traumatic stress reactions were measured using PTSD-RI (University of California at Los Angeles PTSD Reaction Index). Symptoms of anxiety and depression were measured with the aid of HSCL-8 (Hopkins Symptom Checklist). Physical symptoms were surveyed using twelve questions. Satisfaction with follow-up was measured with eight questions on a five-point scale. After ten months, the average score for PTSD-RI was 1.4 (95% CI 1.0-1.7), and 31% of the responses were at a clinical PTSD level. After three years, the average score was 1.3 (95% CI 0.9-1.7), and 25% were at a clinical PTSD level. Symptom score for anxiety and depression after ten months was 0.9 (95% CI 0.6-1.2) and after three years 0.8 (95% CI 0.5-1.2). The most frequent physical symptom was headache. The satisfaction with follow-up varied somewhat but was generally good. Several patients who received treatment for injuries at the accident and emergency department in Oslo had mental symptoms for a long period following the terror attack. The patients were satisfied with the follow-up, which was mainly provided by the primary healthcare service.