Neuropathic Symptoms in World Trade Center Disaster Survivors and Responders

J Occup Environ Med. 2016 Jan;58(1):83-6. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000000619.

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research is to determine whether responders and survivors of the World Trade Center (WTC) disaster experience symptoms of neuropathy at a rate higher than those not exposed.

Methods: A survey of neuropathic symptoms in patients who were and were not exposed at the WTC based upon the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI).

Results: Even after correction for medical comorbidities, age, and depression, neuropathic symptoms are much more common in those exposed to WTC dust and increase with increasing exposure.

Conclusions: This study provides evidence that exposure to WTC dust is associated with neuropathic symptoms.

MeSH terms

  • Anxiety / epidemiology
  • Comorbidity
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Dust
  • Electromyography
  • Emergency Responders / psychology
  • Emergency Responders / statistics & numerical data*
  • Exanthema / epidemiology
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Lung Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Mental Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • New York City / epidemiology
  • Occupational Exposure / statistics & numerical data*
  • Prevalence
  • September 11 Terrorist Attacks*
  • Stress, Psychological / epidemiology
  • Survivors / psychology
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

  • Dust