Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with Chemical Intolerance

Abstract

BackgroundThe Center for Disease Control has estimated that over 24 million have been infected with COVID-19 in the US with over 6,700,000 being hospitalized, and over 1,174,000 deaths. Several other industrialized countries show similar numbers (CSSE, 2021). Chemical Intolerance (CI) is characterized by multi-system symptoms initiated by a one-time high dose or persistent low-dose exposure to environmental toxins including chemicals, foods and drugs. With an estimated 20% prevalence in the US, the symptoms of CI include fatigue, headache, weakness, rash, mood changes, musculoskeletal pain, gastrointestinal issues, difficulties with memory, concentration, and respiratory problems which are similar to COVID-19 and its sequelae. The purpose of this study was to determine if the pandemic had differential effects on those individuals with CI.MethodsA large U.S. population-based survey was launched involving 7,500 respondents asking if they ever had COVID-19, what the severity of it was, and if they have long COVID-19. Respondents were also assessed for CI using the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI), a 50-item validated questionnaire designed to assess intolerances to inhaled chemicals, foods, and/or drugs. Respondents were classified as Low, Medium, or High CI.ResultsThose in the High Chemical Intolerance class reported a greater COVID-19 prevalence, symptom severity, and long COVID-19 then in the Medium and Low CI classes (P<.0001). These associations were independent of race, ethnicity, income, age, and gender. However, there was significantly increased odds of COVID-19 severity among females and those over 45 years old. Asian individuals were least likely to have severe symptoms compared to White individuals (OR = 0.60). Black/African American individuals reported a lower prevalence of COVID-19 than Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), but African American individuals with high CI reported 2.2 greater odds of reporting COVID-19 prevalence. Further, African American individuals had significantly greater odds of increased symptom severity.DiscussionPrior studies showed that higher risk for COVID-19-19 infection include the elderly, male sex, those with pre-existing comorbidities (e.g., challenged immunities) and those from minoritized racial/ethnic groups. The results of this study suggest that those with CI be included in a high risk group. Various risk subsets may exisit and future investigations could identify different risk subsets. Understanding these subgroups would be helpful in mounting targeted prevention efforts.