Post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in victims of Tokyo subway attack: a 5-year follow-up study

Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2004 Dec;58(6):624-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2004.01313.x.

Abstract

Sarin gas was dispersed in a Tokyo subway in 1995. This study investigates the mental and somatic symptoms of the 34 victims 5 years after the attack. Structured interviews (Clinician-Administered Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [CAPS] and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) and self-rating questionnaires were used to assess the symptoms. Not only post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but also non-specific mental symptoms persisted in the victims at a high rate. A total of 11 victims were diagnosed with current or lifetime PTSD according to CAPS. Victims with PTSD showed higher anxiety levels and more visual memory impairment. A significant correlation between the total score of Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and CAPS was found, indicating that IES-R is a useful tool for evaluating PTSD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anxiety / psychology
  • Arousal
  • Chemical Warfare Agents / poisoning*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interview, Psychological
  • Male
  • Memory / physiology
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Sarin / poisoning*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Terrorism / psychology*
  • Tokyo / epidemiology
  • Wechsler Scales

Substances

  • Chemical Warfare Agents
  • Sarin