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Other Physical Health Conditions Publications

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2022

  • The Relationship between 9/11 Exposure, Systemic Autoimmune Disease, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Mediational Analysis
    • This study found that 9/11-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was associated with systemic autoimmune disease (SAD) in community members. A high level of dust exposure was associated with an increased risk of SAD among 9/11 responders. The relationship between 9/11 exposures, SAD, and PTSD will need further study based on larger numbers of cases of SAD. 
    • Brite, J., Miller-Archie, S. A., & Cone, J. (2022). The Relationship between 9/11 Exposure, Systemic Autoimmune Disease, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Mediational Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(11), 6514. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19116514 

2021

  • Stroke hospitalizations, posttraumatic stress disorder, and 9/11-related dust exposure: results from the World Trade Center Health Registry
    • This paper investigated the relationship between 9/11-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dust exposure, and stroke. The study was conducted upon 29,012 people in the World Trade Center Health Registry. The stroke information was gathered from the New York State Department of Health’s discharge records. We found that PTSD is a risk factor for stroke and is associated with recurrent strokes. We also found that dust exposure on 9/11 is a possible risk factor for a stroke caused from a blockage in an artery that supplies blood to the brain. Policy makers and medical professionals should place greater emphasis on treating PTSD among 9/11 survivors. This may ultimately reduce the risk for stroke and recurrent strokes.
    • Yu, S., Alper, H. E., Nguyen, A., Maqsood, J., & Brackbill, R. M. (2021). Stroke hospitalizations, posttraumatic stress disorder, and 9/11‐related dust exposure: Results from the World Trade Center Health Registry. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 64(10), 827–836. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.23271 

2019

  • Systemic autoimmune disease among adults exposed to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack
    • The association between exposure to the September 11, 2001, attack on the World Trace Center (WTC) and autoimmune disease, a condition that causes responses in the immune system that attack normal body tissue, has been suggested in early research, but remains understudied. Several components of the dust cloud that resulted from the collapse of WTC, such as crystal-line silica, have been associated with systemic autoimmune disease (SAD) . In addition, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is associated with 9/11-exposure, has also been shown to be higher in those suffering from SAD. Among 43,133 WTC Health Registry enrollees, 2,786 self-reported having a post-9/11 systemic autoimmune disease. Rheumatoid arthritis was the most frequently reported condition (n = 71), followed by Sjӧgren’s syndrome (n = 22), sys-temic lupus erythematosus (n = 20), myositis (n = 9), mixed connective tissue disease (n = 7), and scleroderma (n = 4). ). Among 9/11 responders, those with intense exposure to the dust cloud had almost twice the risk of systemic autoimmune disease. Non-responders with 9/11-related PTSD had a nearly 3-fold increased risk of SAD. Although this study suggests some as-pects of 9/11 exposure may be associated with SAD, more research is needed to fully charac-terize any possible relationship. Those treating 9/11 survivors and workers should be aware of the possibility this population may be at increased risk of SAD, which is often hard to diagnose.
    • Miller‐Archie, S. A., Izmirly, P. M., Berman, J. R., Brite, J., Walker, D. J., Dasilva, R. C., Petrsoric, L. J., & Cone, J. E. (2020). Systemic Autoimmune Disease Among Adults Exposed to the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attack. Arthritis & Rheumatology, 72(5), 849–859. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.41175 

2012

  • Self-reported skin rash or irritation symptoms among World Trade Center Health Registry participants
    • Twelve percent of 42,025 Registry adult enrollees reported post-9/11 skin rash in 2003-04, 16% reported skin rash in 2006-07 and 6% reported it at both times. Among enrollees without PTSD or other psychological distress, increased risk for early skin rash was independently associated with intense dust cloud exposure, damage to the home or workplace, and working at least 31 days at the WTC site.
    • Huang, M. J., Li, J., Liff, J. M., Cohen, D. E., & Cone, J. (2012). Self-Reported Skin Rash or Irritation Symptoms Among World Trade Center Health Registry Participants. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, 54(4), 451–458. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e318245242b 

2011

  • Sarcoidosis diagnosed after September 11, 2001, among adults exposed to the World Trade Center disaster 
    • A study of World Trade Center Health Registry members found 43 cases of sarcoidosis after 9/11. Sarcoidosis is a disease that can cause swelling and damage in the lungs. People who worked on the World Trade Center debris pile had a much higher risk of developing the disease. Exposure to the dust cloud alone was not linked to a higher risk. The findings suggest that workers who had direct, long-term exposure may face greater health risks.
    • Jordan, H. T., Stellman, S. D., Prezant, D., Teirstein, A., Osahan, S. S., & Cone, J. E. (2011). Sarcoidosis diagnosed after September 11, 2001, among adults exposed to the World Trade Center disaster. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 53(9), 966–974. https://doi.org/10.1097/JOM.0b013e31822a3596