TY - JOUR
T1 - Health-related quality of life and mental health problems after a disaster
T2 - Are chronically ill survivors more vulnerable to health problems?
AU - Van Den Berg, Bellis
AU - Van Der Velden, Peter G.
AU - Joris Yzermans, C.
AU - Stellato, Rebecca K.
AU - Grievink, Linda
PY - 2006/12
Y1 - 2006/12
N2 - Studies have shown that the chronically ill are at higher risk for reduced health-related quality of life (HRQL) and for mental health problems. A combination with traumatic events might increase this risk. This longitudinal study among 1216 survivors of a disaster examines whether chronically ill survivors had a different course of HRQL and mental health problems compared to survivors without chronic diseases. HRQL and mental health problems were measured 3 weeks, 18 months and 4 years post-disaster. Data on pre-disaster chronic diseases was obtained from the electronic medical records of general practitioners. Random coefficient analyses showed significant interaction effects for social functioning, bodily pain and emotional role limitations at T2 only. Chronically ill survivors did not consistently have a different course of general health, physical role limitations, and mental health problems. In conclusion, chronic diseases were not an important risk factor for impaired HRQL and mental health problems among survivors.
AB - Studies have shown that the chronically ill are at higher risk for reduced health-related quality of life (HRQL) and for mental health problems. A combination with traumatic events might increase this risk. This longitudinal study among 1216 survivors of a disaster examines whether chronically ill survivors had a different course of HRQL and mental health problems compared to survivors without chronic diseases. HRQL and mental health problems were measured 3 weeks, 18 months and 4 years post-disaster. Data on pre-disaster chronic diseases was obtained from the electronic medical records of general practitioners. Random coefficient analyses showed significant interaction effects for social functioning, bodily pain and emotional role limitations at T2 only. Chronically ill survivors did not consistently have a different course of general health, physical role limitations, and mental health problems. In conclusion, chronic diseases were not an important risk factor for impaired HRQL and mental health problems among survivors.
KW - Chronic diseases
KW - Disasters
KW - Longitudinal studies
KW - Mental health
KW - Quality of life
KW - Risk factors
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/33751410598
U2 - 10.1007/s11136-006-0033-9
DO - 10.1007/s11136-006-0033-9
M3 - Article
C2 - 17033912
AN - SCOPUS:33751410598
SN - 0962-9343
VL - 15
SP - 1571
EP - 1576
JO - Quality of Life Research
JF - Quality of Life Research
IS - 10
ER -