World Trade Center Health Program Research Articles

Characteristics of survivors enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program is a limited federal health care program that provides medical monitoring and treatment for WTC-related health conditions to responders and survivors impacted by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.This study described the characteristics of the Program survivor members (who lived, worked, went to school, daycare or adult daycare or present in the New York City Disaster Area of 9/11/2001) to stimulate innovative ideas for improving healthcare services, generate new research interest, and serve as a reference for future research on this population. Administrative and medical claims data collected from the Program start date (07/01/2011) through 2022 were used. As of 12/31/2022, there were 37,384 enrolled survivors: 5.0% were aged ≤21 years on 9/11/2001, 45.9% females, and 31.2% non-Hispanic Whites. A total of 24,148 (64.6%) were certified for at least one WTC-related condition, including neoplasms (36.0%), aerodigestive disorders (35.6%) and mental health conditions (18.6%); 22.9% were certified for more than one category. Certification rates of some WTC-related conditions differed by sex, age and race/ethnicity. WTC survivor population is diverse in sex, age and race/ethnicity, with a high proportion certified for certain WTC-related health conditions, providing great opportunities for research in various areas.

Sleep disturbances across two weeks predict future mental healthcare utilization.

Insufficient sleep costs the U.S. economy over $411 billion per year. However, most studies investigating economic costs of sleep rely on one-time measures of sleep, which may be prone to recall bias and cannot capture variability in sleep. To address these gaps, we examined how sleep metrics captured from daily sleep diaries predicted medical expenditures. Participants were 391 World Trade Center responders enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program (mean age = 54.97 years, 89% men). At baseline, participants completed 14 days of self-reported sleep and stress measures. Mean sleep, variability in sleep, and a novel measure of sleep reactivity (i.e., how much people's sleep changes in response to daily stress) were used to predict the subsequent year's medical expenditures, covarying for age, race/ethnicity, sex, medical diagnoses, and body mass index. Mean sleep efficiency did not predict mental healthcare utilization. However, greater sleep efficiency reactivity to stress (b=$191.75, p=.027), sleep duration reactivity to stress (b=$206.33, p=.040), variability in sleep efficiency (b=$339.33, p=.002), variability in sleep duration (b=$260.87, p=.004), and quadratic mean sleep duration (b=$182.37, p=.001) all predicted greater mental healthcare expenditures. Together, these sleep variables explained 12% of the unique variance in mental healthcare expenditures. No sleep variables were significantly associated with physical healthcare expenditures. People with more irregular sleep, more sleep reactivity, and either short or long sleep engage in more mental healthcare utilization. It may be important to address these individuals' sleep problems to improve mental health and reduce healthcare costs.

Nasal resistance and inflammation: mechanisms for obstructive sleep apnea from chronic rhinosinusitis.

We have previously estimated that the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) among World Trade Center rescue and recovery workers is 75% and identified that having symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an independent risk factor for OSA in this population. Nasal inflammation and/or elevated awake nasal resistance that carried over into sleep could explain this association. To understand the mechanism(s) for the elevated risk of OSA observed in World Trade Center responders with CRS symptoms we examined if elevated awake supine nasal resistance was associated with OSA, CRS and/or nasal inflammatory biomarkers. A total of 601 individuals (83% male, average age 53 years, body mass index = 29.9 ± 5.5 kg/m2) enrolled in the World Trade Center Health Program and without significant snoring prior to September 11, 2001 underwent 2 nights of home sleep apnea testing, measurements of anterior rhinomanometry in the supine position, and nasal lavage. Awake supine nasal resistance was not associated with OSA; 74.8% and 74.4% of the participants with low and high nasal resistance respectively, had OSA. Patients with CRS had elevated nasal inflammatory markers (interleukin 6, interleukin 8, eosinophilic cationic protein, and neutrophil) but did not have high nasal resistance. Nasal inflammatory markers were not correlated with nasal resistance. As awake nasal resistance did not explain the relationship of CRS to OSA in this large and well characterized dataset, our findings suggest that either "sleep" nasal resistance or other factors such as increased supraglottic inflammation, perhaps through impairing upper airway reflex mechanisms, or systemic inflammation are involved in the pathophysiology of OSA in the World Trade Center population. Ayappa I, Laumbach R, Black K, etal. Nasal resistance and inflammation: mechanisms for obstructive sleep apnea from chronic rhinosinusitis. J Clin Sleep Med. 2024;20(10):1627-1636.

A pilot study to identify factors associated with frailty within the World Trade Center general responder cohort.

Given the significant exposures experienced by the World Trade Center (WTC) general responders, there is increasing interest in understanding the effect of these exposures on aging in this population. We aim to identify factors that may be associated with frailty, a clinical syndrome characterized by a decrease in one's reserve that has been linked to poor health outcomes. WTC general responders enrolled in the WTC Health Program aged 50 and older provided informed consent. Validated frailty assessments, the Frailty Phenotype (with the Johns Hopkins Frailty Assessment Calculator) along with the FRAIL scale, categorized nonfrail from prefrail/frail. Fall risk, functional status, and cognition were also assessed. WTC variables, including an identified WTC-certified condition, were utilized. The risk of frailty was estimated using log binomial regression analysis. A 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to estimate the prevalence ratio (PR). One hundred and six participants were included; 38 (35.8%) were classified as pre-frail or frail. More of the pre-frail/frail group were obese (57.9% vs. 25%; p = 0.004) and had a WTC-certified condition (78.9% vs. 58.8%; p = 0.036). Obesity (PR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.31, 4.53), a WTC-certified condition (PR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.09, 2.89), and risk of falling (PR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.01, 3.84) were independently associated with frailty. Obesity and having a WTC-certified condition were found to be risk factors for frailty in our pilot study. Future work may focus on further identifying risk factors for frailty in the larger WTC general responder population.

Inflammatory markers in world trade center workers with asthma: Associations with post traumatic stress disorder.

Post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD) is associated with worse asthma outcomes in individuals exposed to the World Trade Center (WTC) site. Do WTC workers with coexisting PTSD and asthma have a specific inflammatory pattern that underlies the relationship with increased asthma morbidity? We collected data on a cohort of WTC workers with asthma recruited from the WTC Health Program. Diagnosis of PTSD was ascertained with a Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manuel of Mental Disorders) and the severity of PTSD symptoms was assessed with the PTSD Checklist 5. We obtained blood and sputum samples to measure cytokines levels in study participants. Of the 232 WTC workers with diagnosis of asthma in the study, 75 (32%) had PTSD. PTSD was significantly associated with worse asthma control (p = 0.002) and increased resource utilization (p = 0.0002). There was no significant association (p>0.05) between most blood or sputum cytokines with PTSD diagnosis or PCL-5 scores both in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Our results suggest that PTSD is not associated with blood and sputum inflammatory markers in WTC workers with asthma. These findings suggest that other mechanisms likely explain the association between PTSD and asthma control in WTC exposed individuals.

Telemedicine Trends and Lessons Learned During the COVID-19 Pandemic-World Trade Center Health Program, 2020-2021.

The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program, a limited federal health care program for eligible people exposed to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, expanded telemedicine services during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2021). We analyzed service use trends from January 2020 through December 2021 to describe how the program implemented telemedicine services. About three-quarters (75%) of telemedicine visits were for mental health-related services. In the second quarter of 2020 (April-June), the number of telemedicine visits per 1000 members (n = 367) increased, exceeding in-person visits (n = 152) by 1.4-fold. The number of telemedicine visits per 1000 members decreased gradually during the rest of the study period but still represented 38% of total visits by the end of 2021. Changes in telemedicine visits were offset by comparable changes for in-person visits, such that the rate of total visits was essentially constant during the study period. Multivariate logistic regression models showed differences in telemedicine visit rates by member type and by demographic characteristics. Survivor members (vs responder members), those self-identified as non-Hispanic Other races (vs non-Hispanic White), those with preferred language not English (vs preferred language English), and those not living in the New York metropolitan area (vs living in the New York metropolitan area) were less likely to use telemedicine. Implementing telemedicine services in the WTC Health Program during the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of extensive collaboration among partners, the capacity to rapidly develop necessary technical guidance, and the flexibility to address frequent regulatory guidance updates in a timely fashion. These lessons learned may guide similar health care providers posed with time-sensitive disruptions of in-person services.

Mediterranean diet intervention among World Trade Center responders with post-traumatic stress disorder: Feasibility and outcomes of a pilot randomized controlled trial.

Responders of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster suffer from co-morbidities. A Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) nutrition intervention with physical activity was implemented among WTC responders with overweight/obesity and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). WTC Health Program members (N=62), 45-65years, males 87%, body mass index (BMI) 27-45kg/m2 randomized to MedDiet (n=31) or usual nutrition counseling (n=31). The 10-week intervention included online nutrition education, text messages, and group experiential cooking; both groups had three in-person individual nutrition counseling. Anthropometrics, serum biomarkers, psychosocial factors, MedDiet score, and PTSD symptoms were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-months (follow-up). The primary outcome was intervention feasibility and secondary outcomes were within- and between-group changes of all measures at post-intervention and follow-up. Nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum tests for between-group comparisons and Wilcoxon signed rank tests for pre-post within-group comparisons. A total of 58(94%) and 46(74%) participants completed the post-intervention and follow-up measurements, respectively. Both groups experienced significant improvements in anthropometrics, MedDiet score, oxidized low-density lipoprotein, and PTSD symptoms. Baseline median (range) were weight 100.42 (73.66-135.17)kg, BMI 33.20 (27.50-41.75)kg/m2, and Waist circumference (WC) 109.22 (90.17-150.62)cm. Median % weight loss at post-intervention was MedDiet: -3% (-11%-7%), p=0.0002; Control: -1% (-13%-4%), p=0.008 and at follow-up MedDiet: -2% (-14%-12%), p=0.07; Control: -2% (-20%-3%), p=0.006. The overall BMI was reduced by -0.68kg/m2 (-4.61-2.09)kg/m2 p<0.0001 at post-intervention and by -0.60kg/m2 (-6.91-3.39)kg/m2, p<0.0009 at follow-up. Overall, median WC was reduced (p<0.0001); post-intervention -3.81cm (-33.00-3.30)cm and follow-up -4.45(-38.10-4.57)cm. There were group differences in HbA1c (p=0.019) and serum ω6/ω3 (p=0.029) at post-intervention. Online intervention with personal counseling was feasible in this population. Improvements in anthropometrics, MedDiet score, selected serum biomarkers and PTSD symptoms were found in both groups; group differences in HbA1c and serum ω6/ω3. A larger study with a delayed control is needed to better assess intervention effects.

Opioid prescriptions among the World Trade Center Health Program population

BackgroundThe World Trade Center Health Program (Program) provides limited health care to those directly affected by the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Because of physical/mental trauma arising from the 9/11 attacks, Program members might be at high risk of opioid use. To prevent prescription opioid overuse, in 2018 the Program implemented various measures to improve opioid prescribing and expand access to non-opioid pain management among Program members. However, the characteristics of opioid prescriptions dispensed among this population has never been described.MethodsAdministrative and claims data from 07/01/2011 to 09/30/2022 were used to describe opioid prescriptions dispensed during 2013–2021.ResultsFrom 2013–2021, 108,285 members were Program-enrolled for ≥ 10 months, 4,053 (3.7%) had 22,938 outpatient opioid prescriptions, of which, 62.1% were for cancer-related pain, 11.1% for hospice/end of life care, 4.8% for surgery pain, and 9.8% for acute/chronic pain. Among members with Program-paid diagnostic/treatment claims (n = 70,721), the proportion with opioid prescriptions for cancer/hospice/end of life care increased from 0.5% in 2013 to 1.6% in 2018 (p = 0.010), then decreased to 1.1% in 2021 (p = 0.070), and the proportion for non-cancer surgery/acute/chronic pain decreased from 0.6% in 2013 to 0.23% in 2021 (p = 0.0005). Among members prescribed opioids without cancer/hospice/sickle cell disease, the proportion who started with long-acting opioids or had opioid prescriptions from ≥ 4 prescribers were below 6.5% annually; the proportion receiving a high-dose (≥ 90 morphine milligram equivalents per day [MED]), or with concurrent opioids and benzodiazepines use, or who started opioids with MED ≥ 50 or with long duration (≥ 7 days’ supply) were above 10% annually, but decreased since 2017.ConclusionsPrevalence of outpatient opioid prescriptions paid by the Program was very low and prescriptions were primarily dispensed for cancer/hospice/end of life care. Although Program efforts to improve opioid prescribing coincided with improvements in outcomes, ongoing surveillance is needed.

Grants on Lifestyle Medicine Research Related to the World Trade Center Health Program (CDC)

Grants on Lifestyle Medicine Research Related to the World Trade Center Health Program (CDC)

The Association of Air Pollution Exposure With Glucose and Lipid Levels: The Role of an Extreme Air Pollution Event Alongside 2 Decades of Moderate Exposure.

Extreme air pollution events and moderate exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. The World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program general responder cohort includes responders to the WTC disaster. We investigated whether their exposure to this extreme air pollution event (2001) was associated with long-term metabolic outcomes, independently from the associations of intermediate-term PM2.5 exposure later in life (2004-2019). We included 22,447 cohort members with cholesterol (n= 96,155) and glucose (n= 81,599) laboratory results. Self-reported WTC exposure was derived from a questionnaire. PM2.5 exposure was derived from a satellite-based model. We observed an increase of 0.78 mg/dL (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30, 1.26) in glucose and 0.67 mg/dL (95% CI: 1.00, 2.35) in cholesterol levels associated with an interquartile range increase in PM2.5 averaged 6 months before the study visit. Higher WTC-exposure categories were also associated with higher cholesterol (0.99 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.30, 1.67, for intermediate exposure) and glucose (0.82 mg/dL, 95% CI: 0.22, 1.43, for high exposure) levels. Most associations were larger among people with diabetes. Extreme air pollution events and intermediate PM2.5 exposure have independent metabolic consequences. These exposures contributed to higher glucose and lipids levels among WTC responders, which may be translated into increased cardiovascular risk.

0739 Effect of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Insomnia on Cognitive Impairment in World Trade Center (WTC) Responders

Abstract Introduction Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is defined as a noticeable decline in cognitive abilities that doesn't interfere with daily activities; MCI may be a precursor of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. Elevated risk of MCI has been shown in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in a sleep clinic population and in subjects with insomnia in a general population. OSA and Insomnia both have a high prevalence among members of the World Trade Center Health Program General Responders’ Cohort (WTCHP GRC). Previous research indicated they had a high prevalence of MCI but did not examine sleep. We examined the association between MCI with OSA and/or Insomnia in the WTCHP GRC. Methods We assessed MCI by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in English (n=115) and Spanish (n=27). MoCA &amp;lt; 26 defines MCI. OSA defined by AHI4&amp;gt;=5 or RDI&amp;gt;=15 events/hr, was assessed by home sleep test or in-lab NPSG. A score&amp;gt;7 on the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) defined insomnia. Education was categorized as &amp;lt; or &amp;gt; bachelor’s (BA/BS) degree; subjects were categorized as Latino or not. Variables were analyzed using linear correlation, t-tests and chi-square tests as appropriate. Results The study population consisted of 142 subjects (80%M/20%F, age 58±8 years, BMI=29.7±5 kg/m2., Non-Latino/White=57%, Latino/any race=35%, &amp;lt; BA/BS=65%). OSA prevalence was 65.5% (mean AHI4=10.8±12.5/hr and RDI=21.42±16/hr). Insomnia prevalence was 48% (ISI=8.8 + 6). 48% (n=68) of subjects were classified as MCI. No correlation was observed between MoCA and OSA severity (r=0.1,p=0.24) or ISI (r=-0.1,p=0.1). Subjects without OSA had higher MCI prevalence (MCI_OSA=21.5% vs MCI_noOSA=37%, p=0.018). Lower educational level, race/ethnicity, and language (Spanish/English) (p&amp;lt; 0.001) were associated with MCI. Conclusion In this heterogenous cohort, we showed an unexpected lower MCI prevalence in OSA subjects. As shown by others, MCI defined by the MoCA was highly impacted by race/ethnicity, language and education. This suggests that our findings may be influenced by differences in the MoCA scoring and MCI cutoffs in Hispanic populations. To understand the relationship between MCI and sleep disorders in the WTC population, future studies should re-assess the cutoffs used in MoCA scoring or use tools to assess MCI less dependent on ethnicity and educational level. Support (if any) NIOSH/CDC U01OH011481, K24HL109156

140 Scoping Review of the Health Effects of Youth Due to the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: Use the World Trade Center (WTC) Health Program Health Effects Library to identify the breadth and depth of research on the health effects of youth due to exposures from the events of September 11, 2001, to track the research trajectories by study population, and to identify gaps and define needs for future research. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We selected references from the WTC Health Effects Library. This curated library includes research publications that measure, report, or discuss health effects of 9/11 at the three disaster sites. Articles included had to evaluate people under 18 years old on 9/11/2001, including those in-utero. Of the 1,813 references considered, 195 were included in our study. Data from each reference was extracted using DistillerSR software and organized in four topics: overview, methods, conditions, and results. Each publication was abstracted independently by a team of two health scientists and conflicts were resolved by the four-person team. All data was then exported from DistillerSR into Microsoft Excel for analysis. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: The 195 articles included were published between 2002 through 2021, of which 29 were funded by the WTC Health Program. The study population represented ranged from in-utero to 18 years old. Research trajectories will be developed by assessing chronological research by outcome groups (physical, mental and behavioral, interventions, and biomarkers), study population categories, as well as exposure location and mechanism. Demographic data extracted will be used to assess whether there are disparities in the research conducted to date for this population and if so, in what areas. Research recommendations and clinical implication extracted from references will be used to assess whether more recent research has addressed research from the early post 9/11 years. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: WTC research strengthens our understanding of 9/11 health effects and provides a way to improve healthcare for the people afflicted from 9/11 exposures. The anticipated results from this scoping review can lead us to identify past research challenges and current knowledge gaps that the Program can address in future research grants.

INFLUENCE OF POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS AND ABNORMAL SPIROMETRY ON COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE IN 9/11 WTC RESPONDERS

Abstract Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and abnormal spirometry are highly prevalent mental and health conditions in World Trade Center (WTC) responders. We tested the hypothesis that PTSD symptomatology and abnormal spirometry are conjointly and synergistically associated with poorer cognitive performance. A total of 1,326 responders (mean age = 53.1, SD = 8.1, 92% males) from the WTC Health Program took part in the study. PTSD symptomatology was assessed using the PCL-IV, and we calculated the FEV1/FVC ratio to measure pulmonary function. Cogstate assessments measured cognitive performance. Linear regressions were employed to evaluate PTSD and pulmonary function on cognitive performance while adjusting for age, sex, education, smoking status, and comorbidity. Higher PTSD symptomatology and lower pulmonary function were independently and conjointly negatively associated with cognitive performance. Further, a significant synergistic effect was present in that higher severity of PTSD symptomatology in the presence of lower pulmonary function was associated with poorer cognitive performance (estimate = -0.096, SE = 0.03, p &amp;lt;0.001). Results suggested that chronic stress and lung damage might share underlying biological mechanisms, including inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways, which may also be affecting the brain. Early intervention efforts to mitigate preventable cognitive decline in high-risk populations should be studied.

Polygenic association of glomerular filtration rate decline in world trade center responders

BackgroundThe factors associated with estimated glomerular filtrate rate (eGFR) decline in low risk adults remain relatively unknown. We hypothesized that a polygenic risk score (PRS) will be associated with eGFR decline.MethodsWe analyzed genetic data from 1,601 adult participants with European ancestry in the World Trade Center Health Program (baseline age 49.68 ± 8.79 years, 93% male, 23% hypertensive, 7% diabetic and 1% with cardiovascular disease) with ≥ three serial measures of serum creatinine. PRSs were calculated from an aggregation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from a recent, large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) of rapid eGFR decline. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate the association of PRS with renal outcomes: baseline eGFR and CKD stage, rate of change in eGFR, stable versus declining eGFR over a 3–5-year observation period. eGFR decline was defined in separate analyses as “clinical” (> -1.0 ml/min/1.73 m2/year) or “empirical” (lower most quartile of eGFR slopes).ResultsThe mean baseline eGFR was ~ 86 ml/min/1.73 m2. Subjects with decline in eGFR were more likely to be diabetic. PRS was significantly associated with lower baseline eGFR (B = -0.96, p = 0.002), higher CKD stage (OR = 1.17, p = 0.010), decline in eGFR (OR = 1.14, p = 0.036) relative to stable eGFR, and the lower quartile of eGFR slopes (OR = 1.21, p = 0.008), after adjusting for established risk factors for CKD.ConclusionCommon genetic variants are associated with eGFR decline in middle-aged adults with relatively low comorbidity burdens.

World Trade Center Exposome: A novel, data-driven approach to modeling risk and protective factors for adverse mental and physical health outcomes among WTC Responders

Background and Aim: Responders involved in rescue and recovery efforts following the 9/11 World Trade Center (WTC) attacks were exposed to hazardous working conditions and toxic agents. Previous studies associating WTC exposure with adverse health outcomes focus on a small number of risk factors selected a priori. We proposed a data-driven, exposomic approach to investigate the mixture of risk and protective factors experienced by WTC responders (i.e., a ’WTC exposome’) and its relation to responder health. Methods: We included 34,096 responders from the WTC Health Program (WTC-HP) with a physical and mental health evaluation and exposure assessment at first (post 9/11/01) visit. We used generalized weighted quantile sum (gWQS) regression to examine positive (i.e., risk) and negative (i.e., protective) associations between the &amp;#x22;WTC Exposome” index containing 84 factors (i.e., dust and traumatic exposures, baseline health information, social support) and five WTC-related health outcomes as dichotomous (ever/never): post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), respiratory problems, diabetes, and headaches. All models were adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, and gender. Results: The WTC exposome was associated with all five health outcomes (PTSD βrisk = 6.4, βprotective = 0.1; GERD βrisk = 4.4, βprotective= 0.5; respiratory problems βrisk = 3.9, βprotective = 0.6; diabetes βrisk = 1.6, βprotective = 0.7; headaches βrisk = 5.6, βprotective = 0.3; p&amp;#x3c;0.0001 for all models). The WTC exposomic profile (i.e., the mix of risk and protective factors) differed by health outcome. For example, working in an enclosed area contaminated with dust contributed most to PTSD risk while full-time employment post 9/11 appeared protective against PTSD. Conclusion: Understanding WTC-related risk and protective factors enable us to better identify responders vulnerable to adverse outcomes and identify factors that may protect against the development or progression of disease. This approach has potential for future disaster response studies.

Air pollution exposure and glucose and lipids levels among the World Trade Center Health Program General Responder cohort

Air pollution exposure and glucose and lipids levels among the World Trade Center Health Program General Responder cohort

"Acculturation, coping, and PTSD in Hispanic 9/11 rescue and recovery workers": Correction.

Reports an error in "Acculturation, coping, and PTSD in Hispanic 9/11 rescue and recovery workers" by Dianne Ciro, Robert H. Pietrzak, Rufina J. Lee, Janice Rodriguez, Ritika Singh, Ryan Salim, Clyde B. Schechter, Steven M. Southwick, Michael Crane, Denise J. Harrison, Benjamin J. Luft, Jacqueline M. Moline, Iris G. Udasin and Adriana Feder (Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 2021[Jan], Vol 13[1], 84-93). In the original article, the following acknowledgment of funding was missing in the author note: "This study was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (Research Contract 200-2011-41919). Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC/NIOSH. This funding source had no role in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; or in the decision to submit the paper for publication." The online version of this article has been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2021-00489-003). Objective: Research examining the responders of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks of 9/11 has found that Hispanic responders are at greater risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than non-Hispanic White responders. However, no studies have examined how acculturation may influence the relationship between coping and PTSD in Hispanic 9/11 responders. This novel study is the first to examine differences in coping and PTSD among Hispanic responders by level of acculturation. Methods: The sample is composed of 845 Hispanic 9/11 responders who were seen at the World Trade Center Health Program and participated in a web-based survey. Using logistic and multiple linear regression, we examined how acculturation is related to their coping strategies and risk for PTSD. We also tested for interaction to examine whether level of acculturation moderated the relationship between coping and PTSD symptom severity. Results: Key findings revealed that higher acculturation is associated with the use of substances, venting, and humor to cope, while lower acculturation is associated with the use of active coping and self-distraction in this sample. We also found that less acculturated responders were more likely to experience more severe PTSD. Lastly, our findings revealed that Hispanics who are more acculturated and used substances to cope had more severe PTSD than less acculturated responders. Conclusion: These findings highlight the need to consider the role of acculturation in Hispanic responders' coping and PTSD. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Understanding Mental Health Needs and Gathering Feedback on Transcutaneous Auricular Vagus Nerve Stimulation as a Potential PTSD Treatment among 9/11 Responders Living with PTSD Symptoms 20 Years Later: A Qualitative Approach.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains one of the most prevalent diagnoses of World Trade Center (WTC) 9/11 responders. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a potential treatment for PTSD, as it can downregulate activity in the brain, which is known to be related to stress responses and hyperarousal. To understand barriers and facilitators to engagement in mental health care and the feasibility and acceptability of using the taVNS device as a treatment for PTSD symptoms, a focus group was conducted among patients from the Queens WTC Health Program who had elevated symptoms of PTSD. The focus group discussion was recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Three themes and subthemes emerged: (1) the continued prevalence of mental health difficulties and systematic challenges to accessing care; (2) positive reception toward the taVNS device as a potential treatment option, including a discussion of how to increase usability; and (3) feedback on increasing the feasibility and acceptance of the research methodology associated with testing the device in a pilot clinical trial. The findings highlight the need for additional treatment options to reduce PTSD symptoms in this population and provide key formative phase input for the pilot clinical trial of taVNS.

Global DNA methylation of WTC prostate cancer tissues show signature differences compared to non-exposed cases.

There is increased incidence of prostate cancer (PC) among World Trade Center (WTC)-exposed responders and community members, with preliminary evidence suggestive of more aggressive disease. While previous research is supportive of differences in DNA methylation and gene expression as a consequence of WTC exposure, as measured in blood of healthy individuals, the epigenetics of WTC PC tissues has yet to be explored. Patients were recruited from the World Trade Center Health Program. Non-WTC PC samples were frequency matched on age, race/ethnicity and Gleason score. Bisulfite-treated DNA was extracted from tumor tissue blocks and used to assess global DNA methylation with the MethylationEPIC BeadChip. Differential and pathway enrichment analyses were conducted. RNA from the same tumor blocks was used for gene expression analysis to further support DNA methylation findings. Methylation data were generated for 28 samples (13 WTC and 15 non-WTC). Statistically significant differences in methylation were observed for 3,586 genes; on average WTC samples were statistically significantly more hypermethylated (P = 0.04131). Pathway enrichment analysis revealed hypermethylation in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), hypoxia, mitotic spindle, TNFA signaling via NFKB, WNT signaling, and TGF beta signaling pathways in WTC compared to non-WTC samples. The androgen response, G2M and MYC target pathways were hypomethylated. These results correlated well with RNA gene expression. In conclusion, long-term epigenic changes associated with WTC dust exposure were observed in PC tissues. These occurred in genes of critical pathways, likely increasing prostate tumorigenesis potential. This warrants analysis of larger WTC groups and other cancer types.

The Association Between Body Mass Index and Anxious Arousal, Depressive, and Insomnia Symptoms Among World Trade Center Responders.

Elevations in body mass index (BMI) among World Trade Center (WTC) responders may be associated with poor mental health outcomes. The current study examined the association of BMI with anxious arousal, depressive, and insomnia symptoms among this group. Participants were 412 WTC responders (89.4% male, Mage = 55.3 years, SD = 8.66) who completed health monitoring assessments (self-report and objective) as part of the Long Island site of the WTC Health Program (LI-WTC-HP). Results suggested BMI was statistically significant only in relation to anxious arousal (sr2 = .02, p = .008), after accounting for age and sex. The current study suggests that weight management programs may aid in promoting additional benefits for WTC responders by reducing anxious arousal symptoms as a function of reduced BMI.