Citation

Ohtani T, Iwanami A, Kasai K, Yamasue H, Kato T, Sasaki T, Kato N. Psychiatry Clin. Neurosci. 2004; 58(6): 624-629.

Affiliation

Department of Psychiatry, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1440-1819.2004.01313.x

PMID

15601387

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.

Language: en