Differences in psychological and somatic symptom cluster score profiles between subjects with Idiopathic environmental intolerance, major depression and schizophrenia

Weiss, Elisabeth M.; Singewald, Evelin; Baldus, Claudia D.; Hofer, Ellen; Marksteiner, Josef; Nasrouei, Sarah; Ruepp, Beatrix; Kapfhammer, Hans-Peter; Fitz, Werner; Mai, C.; Bauer, Anke; Papousek, Ilona; Holzer, Peter

doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2016.12.057

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…The patients reported insomnia-related symptoms and multisite pain, which have also been reported in some previous studies among MCS patients [23], [59] and are a typical feature of FSSs [60], [61]. In addition, our patients reported work-related burnout on facets of physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

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Clinical Characteristics of Disability in Patients with Indoor Air–Related Environmental Intolerance

Vuokko

Karvala

Suojalehto

et al. 2019

Safety and Health at Work

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Background Chronic nonspecific symptoms attributed to indoor nonindustrial work environments are common and may cause disability, but the medical nature of this disability is unclear. The aim was to medically characterize the disability manifested by chronic, recurrent symptoms and restrictions to work participation attributed to low-level indoor pollutants at workplace and whether the condition shares features with idiopathic environmental intolerance. Methods We investigated 12 patients with indoor air–related work disability. The examinations included somatic, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations as well as investigations of the autonomic nervous system, cortisol measurements, lung function, and allergy tests. We evaluated well-being, health, disability, insomnia, pain, anxiety, depression, and burnout via questionnaires. Results The mean symptom history was 10.5 years; for disabling symptoms, 2.7 years. Eleven patients reported reactions triggered mainly by indoor molds, one by fragrances only. Ten reported sensitivity to odorous chemicals, and three, electric devices. Nearly all had co-occurrent somatic and psychiatric diagnoses and signs of pain, insomnia, burnout, and/or elevated sympathetic responses. Avoiding certain environments had led to restrictions in several life areas. On self-assessment scales, disability showed higher severity and anxiety showed lower severity than in physician assessments. Conclusion No medical cause was found to explain the disability. Findings support that the condition is a form of idiopathic environmental intolerance and belongs to functional somatic syndromes. Instead of endless avoidance, rehabilitation approaches of functional somatic syndromes are applicable.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…[21]). The self-reported psychiatric symptoms were quite modest, which may reflect patients' resistance to psychological and psychiatric labels [7], [59].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Clinical Characteristics of Disability in Patients with Indoor Air–Related Environmental Intolerance

Vuokko

Karvala

Suojalehto

et al. 2019

Safety and Health at Work

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“…Furthermore, parental exposure to occupational asthmagens might also be associated with children autism-spectrum disorders ( 65 ). Previous studies have also reported the associations between other immune or inflammation-related diseases, such as periodontitis ( 66 ), gluten-related illnesses ( 67 ), amyotrophiclateral sclerosis ( 68 ), psoriasis ( 69 ), food or other allergies ( 70 ), and idiopathic environmental intolerance ( 71 ) and the risk of psychiatric disorders. Conversely, psychiatric disorders might also affect the immune systems ( 72 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Increased Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Allergic Diseases: A Nationwide, Population-Based, Cohort Study

et al. 2018

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Background/objectiveAllergic diseases, such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and psychiatric disorders, are major health issues. There have been reports that allergic diseases were associated with depression or anxiety disorders. This study aimed to investigate the association between these allergic diseases and the risk of developing overall psychiatric disorders in patients from Taiwan.MethodsThis cohort study used the database of the Taiwan National Health Insurance Program. A total of 186,588 enrolled patients, with 46,647 study subjects who had suffered from allergic diseases, and 139,941 controls matched for sex and age, from the Longitudinal Health Insurance Dataset of 2000–2015, were selected from a sub-dataset of the National Health Insurance Research Database. Fine and Gray’s competing risk model analysis was used to explore the hazard ratio (HR), and 95% confidence interval, for the risk of allergic diseases being associated with the risk of developing psychiatric disorders during the 15 years of follow-up.ResultsOf the study subjects, 5,038 (10.8%) developed psychiatric disorders when compared to 9,376 (6.7%) in the control group, with significant difference (p < 0.001). Fine and Gray’s competing risk model analysis revealed that the adjusted HR was 1.659 (95% CI = 1.602–1.717, p < 0.001). In this study, we found that the groups of atopic dermatitis alone and the allergic rhinitis + atopic dermatitis were associated with a lower risk of psychiatric disorders, but all the other four groups, such as bronchial asthma alone, allergic rhinitis alone, bronchial asthma + allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma + atopic dermatitis, and the combination of all these three allergic diseases, were associated with a higher risk of psychiatric disorders.ConclusionAllergic diseases are therefore associated with a 1.66-fold increased hazard of psychiatric disorders in Taiwan.

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“…In addition, many of those affected by MCS are no longer able to work or participate in public life due to their condition [20]. The presence of additional subjective somatic symptoms allows for the distinction between MCS and genuine psychiatric diseases [22]. The presence of additional subjective somatic symptoms allows for the distinction between MCS and genuine psychiatric diseases [22].…”

Section: Psychosocial Situation Of Affected Individualsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mental disorders are very common among MCS patients, with nearly 80 % thereof being affected [21]. The presence of additional subjective somatic symptoms allows for the distinction between MCS and genuine psychiatric diseases [22].…”

Section: Psychosocial Situation Of Affected Individualsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) – a guide for dermatologists on how to manage affected individuals

Harter¹,

Hammel²,

Fleming

et al. 2020

J Deutsche Derma Gesell

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Summary Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a condition characterized by a subjectively perceived increase in sensitivity to environmental chemicals. Individuals affected report a wide variety of nonspecific complaints, and frequently attribute cutaneous and mucosal symptoms to chemical exposures. Dermatologists should therefore be familiar with this condition. MCS is a diagnosis of exclusion. Other causes for the patients’ symptoms should be ruled out by routine laboratory tests, allergy tests and, if indicated, monitoring for toxic (environmental) substances. The primary job of dermatologists is to rule out skin diseases or hypersensitivities as possible causes of the complaints. Interdisciplinary patient management is essential, especially in severe cases in which those affected have problems coping with everyday life. Relevant specialties in this context include environmental medicine, psychosomatic medicine as well as occupational and social medicine. Cutaneous symptoms are usually addressed with symptomatic treatment using basic skin care products. There are currently no evidence‐based treatment recommendations for MCS. It is crucial that MCS patients be protected from unnecessary treatments and thus from mental, social and financial strain. In addition to medical skills, managing MCS patients requires communicative and psychosocial competence in particular. Physicians involved in the treatment will benefit from training in psychotherapy. Irrespective of the mechanisms that lead to MCS, diagnosis and treatment of this condition require an actively supportive attitude towards these patients, a good doctor‐patient relationship and interdisciplinary cooperation.

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Differences in psychological and somatic symptom cluster score profiles between subjects with Idiopathic environmental intolerance, major depression and schizophrenia

Cited by 5 publications

References 48 publications

Clinical Characteristics of Disability in Patients with Indoor Air–Related Environmental Intolerance

Clinical Characteristics of Disability in Patients with Indoor Air–Related Environmental Intolerance

Increased Risk of Psychiatric Disorders in Allergic Diseases: A Nationwide, Population-Based, Cohort Study

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) – a guide for dermatologists on how to manage affected individuals

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