Psychological symptoms and quality of life after repeated exposure to earthquake: A cohort study in Italy.

Francesco Altamore,Pamela Accaramboni,Giuliana Grifantini,Stefania Scuri,Neelam Laxhman,Stefan Priebe,Iolanda Grappasonni,Fabio Petrelli,Goran Knezevic

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0233172

Abstract

In 2005, a random sample of 200 people were assessed in Camerino, Italy, eight years after an earthquake. Psychological symptom levels were low and only one person had current Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In 2016 a new earthquake occurred in Camerino. The study aims to assess the impact of the second exposure in the same cohort. A longitudinal study was conducted, 130 participants were re-interviewed between July and December 2017. Psychological symptoms were self-rated on the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and the Global Severity Index (GSI) was analysed. Post-traumatic stress symptoms were self-rated on the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R). Subjective quality of life (SQOL) was assessed on the Manchester Short Assessment of Quality of Life (MANSA). Mean scores of GSI and IES-R were significantly higher than in 2005 (p<0.01 and p<0.001), whilst SQOL remained almost unchanged (p = 0.163). In 2017, 16.9% of the sample had reached the PTSD threshold whilst in 2005 only the 0.5% had reached it. Despite low symptom levels several years after an earthquake, people can show psychological distress after a new exposure, whilst average quality of life levels are not affected.

Highlights

Exposure to earthquakes can lead to lasting psychological symptoms, often diagnosed as PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and impaired quality of life [1–3]
The increase in symptom levels and PTSD prevalence may be due to the repeated exposure or the shorter period of time between the last earthquake and collecting data or both
In the interpretation of the very low symptom levels found in the 2005 interviews, several factors were considered as being potentially helpful in reducing the likelihood of developing symptoms

Summary

Introduction

Exposure to earthquakes can lead to lasting psychological symptoms, often diagnosed as PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and impaired quality of life [1–3]. Most studies focus on sequelae of one event rather than repeated earthquakes as they can occur in earthquake affected regions [4,5]. A recent study in adolescents in China analysed sequelae of two earthquakes that occurred five years apart and suggested that the experience of one earthquake may increase the sensitivity to the impact of subsequent ones [6]. There are no studies that investigate sequelae of repeated exposure among adults.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion