Increased Incidence Rate of Trauma- and Stressor-related Disorders in Denmark Following the Breivik Attacks in Norway

TY - JOUR

T1 - Increased Incidence Rate of Trauma- and Stressor-related Disorders in Denmark Following the Breivik Attacks in Norway

AU - Hansen, Bertel Teilfeldt

AU - Dinesen, Peter Thisted

AU - Østergaard, Søren Dinesen

PY - 2017/7/13

Y1 - 2017/7/13

N2 - Background: On 22 July 2011, Anders Breivik killed 77 adults and children in Norway. Having recently documented increases in the incidence of trauma- and stressor-related disorders in Denmark after the 9/11 attacks, we hypothesized that the Breivik attacks - due to their geographic proximity - would be followed by even larger increases in Denmark. Methods: Using population-based data from the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register (1995-2012), we conducted an intervention analysis of the change in the incidence of trauma- and stressor-related disorders after the Breivik attacks. Results: The incidence rate increased by 16% over the following 11/2 years after the Breivik attacks, corresponding to 2736 additional cases. In comparison, 9/11 was followed by a 4% increase. We also present evidence of a subsequent surge in incidence stimulated by media attention. Conclusion: This study bolsters previous findings on extra-national consequences of terrorism and indicates that geographic proximity and media coverage may exacerbate effects.

AB - Background: On 22 July 2011, Anders Breivik killed 77 adults and children in Norway. Having recently documented increases in the incidence of trauma- and stressor-related disorders in Denmark after the 9/11 attacks, we hypothesized that the Breivik attacks - due to their geographic proximity - would be followed by even larger increases in Denmark. Methods: Using population-based data from the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register (1995-2012), we conducted an intervention analysis of the change in the incidence of trauma- and stressor-related disorders after the Breivik attacks. Results: The incidence rate increased by 16% over the following 11/2 years after the Breivik attacks, corresponding to 2736 additional cases. In comparison, 9/11 was followed by a 4% increase. We also present evidence of a subsequent surge in incidence stimulated by media attention. Conclusion: This study bolsters previous findings on extra-national consequences of terrorism and indicates that geographic proximity and media coverage may exacerbate effects.

U2 - 10.1097/EDE.0000000000000705

DO - 10.1097/EDE.0000000000000705

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28708757

SN - 1044-3983

VL - 28

SP - 906

EP - 909

JO - Epidemiology

JF - Epidemiology

IS - 6

ER -