MP722POSTTRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER OF HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS WITH MERS-COV EXPOSURE

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: The outbreak ofMiddle East respiratory syndrome corona virus (MERS-CoV) was in Korea in 2015. A total of 186 people were infected, including one patient withmaintenance hemodialysis (HD). Dialysis patients in three HD units were incidentally exposed to patients or health care workers with confirmedMERSCoV infection. To interrupt the spread ofMERS-CoV, they were isolated from community during outbreak. This study examined the occurrence rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and risk factors among HD patients with exposure to MERS-CoV. METHODS: We studied 116 HD subjects who were exposed to MERS-CoV and isolated. A survey was conducted at 12 months after the isolation period. We used Korean versions of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to examine PTSD. Of the 116 HD patients, 76 (65.5%) respondents completed the questionnaires. Total IES-R scores above the cutoff of 18 suggest the individual is likely to have PTSD. RESULTS: In our study population, mean age was 62.4 years (30-86); 46 (60.5%) were men, 32 (42.1%) were diabetes. Isolation period from the exposure was 14.863.1 days (4-22). Hospitalized quarantine care was 40 (52.6%), cohort isolation was 28 (36.8%) and self-imposed quarantine was 8 (10.5%). Of the participants, 17 (22.4%) reported symptoms related to PTSD. Excluding hyperarousal, subscale scores such as avoidance, intrusion, sleep disturbance, emotional paralysis and dissociation increased after isolating experiences. Women and patients who had arteriovenous graft were more likely to develop symptoms of PTSD. Type of isolation or isolation period was not associated with PTSD. CONCLUSIONS: Many HD subjects that were exposed to MERS-CoV and isolated have suffered from PTSD in Korea. Isolation such as hospitalized quarantine care or cohort isolation is mandatory to prevent secondary transmission during outbreak, but we should pay more attention to their psychologic stress during isolation.