Abstract
Purpose
The purposes of this study are to investigate the prevalence of major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Korean subway drivers, and find the association between these disorders and the drivers’ person-under-train (PUT) experiences.
Methods
A total of 826 subway drivers who participated in a cross-sectional work and health survey were included for this study. The Korean version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 was applied to assess major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and PTSD. The date of PUT, whether victim died, and how many PUTs the drivers experienced were asked using a structured questionnaire.
Results
The standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) for lifetime prevalence of panic disorder and PTSD in subway drivers were 13.3 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 6.6–22.4) and 2.1 (95 % CI 1.1–3.4), respectively. In lifetime prevalence, after adjusting for age, education, income, and working career, the drivers who experienced PUT had significantly higher risks for panic disorder (odds ratio [OR] = 4.2, 95 % CI 1.2–16.6) and PTSD (OR = 4.4, 95 % CI 1.3–16.4). In 1-year prevalence, the drivers who experienced PUT had a significantly higher risk for PTSD (OR = 11.7, 95 % CI 1.9–225.8). There was no significant value of SPR and OR in major depressive disorder.
Conclusions
This study suggests that Korean subway drivers are at higher risk for panic disorder and PTSD compared to the general population, and PUT experience is associated with panic disorder and PTSD. Drivers who have experienced PUT should be treated quickly, sympathetically, and sensitively by a psychological professional and their colleagues, so they can return to work soon.
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Acknowledgments
This study was supported by a grant from the Korea Healthcare Technology R&D Project, Ministry for Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea (A102065), and Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation.
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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Kim, HR., Yim, H.W., Jo, SJ. et al. Major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder in Korean subway drivers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 86, 471–477 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0779-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-012-0779-z