Multiple chemical sensitivity: Clinical evaluation of the severity and psychopathological profile

Blanco, Eva Lago; Ferrando, Josep; Enríquez, Mónica Rodríguez; Gento, Laura Agüero; Coll, Joan Salvà; Portell, Maria Rosa Pizà

doi:10.1016/j.medcle.2015.09.003

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…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%

See 1 more Smart Citation

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

Vuokko

Karvala

Suojalehto

et al. 2019

Safety and Health at Work

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…One qualitative study showed the nature of disability causes restraints in lifestyle, social life, and occupational conditions [6]. The clinical evaluation of MCS patients has shown co-occurrence with psychiatric disorders [21], [22], somatic diseases such as asthma [22], and functional somatic syndromes (FSSs) [23].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Vuokko

Karvala

Suojalehto

et al. 2019

Safety and Health at Work

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In the 51-to-60-years age bracket, symptoms such as problems with balance or coordination of movements, numbness, tingling or difficulty in focusing vision (OR 76.00 12.62–457.51 p = 0.000), headaches or sensation of pressure in the head (OR: 27.00 6.35–114.66 p = 0.000), and gastrointestinal disorders (OR 19.51 4.65–81.91 p = 0.000) stand out to a large extent. Previous studies [ 10 , 14 ] confirm that MCS affects mostly middle-aged women; in our sample, we observed a greater participation of women in the 41-to-50-years and 51-to-60-years age brackets, since these are the age intervals during which more association is reported.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 80%

“…MCS is a syndrome that affects mainly middle-aged women [ 4 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ] with no differences related to educational, socioeconomic or ethnic background [ 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome: First Symptoms and Evolution of the Clinical Picture: Case-Control Study/Epidemiological Case-Control Study

Fares-Medina

Díaz-Caro

García-Montes

et al. 2022

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition characterized by the appearance of symptoms caused by exposure to chemical compounds that are tolerable for the general population. It mainly affects middle-aged women. There are very few studies focusing on the most frequent symptoms of MCS considering age groups and gender. The main goal of this study was to find the most frequent symptoms both at the onset of the disease and at the present time describing them by age groups. The QEESI (Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory) questionnaire, Scale 3 which assesses symptoms and their severity, was used as a diagnostic tool for the disease. A case-control study was conducted with the participation of 210 people. Of the cases, 94.3% were women. The symptoms that most often manifested first were airway and mucous membrane alterations (68.9%). In the development of the disease, we found cognitive alterations (OR = 31.25), heart or chest problems (OR = 22.49), neuromuscular problems (OR = 20.00) and head-related symptomatology (OR = 19.29). Identifying the most frequent pattern of symptoms by age group and sex will allow an early diagnosis of the disease to improve its prognosis and treatment.

show abstract

Characteristics and determinants of dietary intake and physical activity in a group of patients with multiple chemical sensitivity

Aguilar-Aguilar

Marcos-Pasero

Iglesia

et al. 2018

Endocrinología, Diabetes y Nutrición (English ed.)

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Multiple chemical sensitivity: Clinical evaluation of the severity and psychopathological profile

Cited by 7 publications

References 15 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

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome: First Symptoms and Evolution of the Clinical Picture: Case-Control Study/Epidemiological Case-Control Study

Characteristics and determinants of dietary intake and physical activity in a group of patients with multiple chemical sensitivity

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About