Profile of Patients with Chemical Injury and Sensitivity

Ziem, Grace; McTamney, James

doi:10.2307/3433348

Cited by 36 publications

(45 citation statements)

References 39 publications

(46 reference statements)

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“…Only one published text is cited in support of this. 13 A table in this publication shows 12 out of 14 patients (85.7%) with at least one metabolic test result outside the cited normal range. However, there are several deficiencies with this interpretation.…”

Section: Porphyriamentioning

confidence: 87%

“…No single widely accepted test of physiologic function has been shown to correlate with symptoms". 12 Ziem and Mctamney 13 showed that, of 90 subjects, over 50% often reported the following symptoms (either daily or several times a week): headache, weakness, inability to concentrate, memory problems, low energy, nasal congestion, throat soreness or tightness, and joint discomfort. At least 30% reported other symptoms aVecting most body systems including: abdominal pain, nausea, visual changes, chest tightness, muscle discomfort, skin rash, sleep disturbance, and urinary disturbance.…”

Section: Definition Of Mcsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A review of multiple chemical sensitivity.

Graveling¹,

Pilkington²,

George³

et al. 1999

Occup Environ Med

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Objective-To review critically the scientific literature on multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Definitions of MCS vary but, for this review, a broad definition of MCS was adopted as symptoms in more than one organ system elicited by various unrelated chemicals at very low levels of exposure. Methods-A systematic literature search identified several hundred references from which key papers were selected. Two questions are considered, does MCS exist and what causes MCS. Results and conclusions-Despite extensive literature on the existence of MCS, there is no unequivocal epidemiological evidence; quantitative exposure data are singularly lacking; and qualitative exposure data are, at best, patchy. There is also some evidence to suggest that MCS is sometimes used as an indiscriminate diagnosis for undiagnosed disorders. Despite this, the collated evidence suggests that MCS does exist although its prevalence generally seems to be exaggerated. Many causal mechanisms have been proposed, some suggesting a physical originsuch as MCS reflecting an immunological overload (total body load)-others favouring a psychological basis-such as MCS symptoms being evoked as part of a conditioned response to previous trauma. The available evidence seems most strongly to support a physical mechanism involving sensitisation of part of the midbrain known as the limbic system. However, it is increasingly being recognised that the psychological milieu of a person can considerably influence physical illness, either through generating a predisposition to disease or in the subsequent prognosis. Work is needed to establish the prevalence of MCS and to confirm or refute selected causal mechanisms. (Occup Environ Med 1999;56:73-85)

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Section: Porphyriamentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Definition Of Mcsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of multiple chemical sensitivity.

Graveling¹,

Pilkington²,

George³

et al. 1999

Occup Environ Med

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show abstract

“…Conversely, symptoms among Cambodia veterans 1 were similar to those found in a group of MCS Syndrome patients studied by Ziem and McTamney. 21 We used the same questions about chemical exposure as were used by Davidoff and Keyl 11 ; Ziem and McTamney 21 also used these questions. However, in our study, a much lower percentage of subjects complained following exposure to certain chemicals than was the case in MCS Syndrome patients in the Ziem and McTamney study.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemical Sensitivity in Symptomatic Cambodia Veterans

Bischoff¹,

Soetekouw²,

Vries³

et al. 2003

Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal

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Following their participation in a United Nations peacekeeping operation in Cambodia (1992-1993), Dutch veterans complained of symptoms similar to those reported by Gulf War veterans. The authors conducted a matched case-control study to evaluate 76 symptomatic and 32 matched asymptomatic Cambodia veterans on the basis of data collected by postal questionnaire. The number of symptomatic veterans who reported having used insect repellants that contained N,N,-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET) during the mission in Cambodia was significantly higher, compared with asymptomatic veterans. The percentage of veterans who reported feeling ill following brief exposures to chemicals such as paint or pesticides was equal in both groups, but the percentage was low compared with the results of other studies of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome. The current study was limited by self-report and time delay (potential recall bias) between deployment to Cambodia and the time of survey. Nevertheless, the study results did not support the hypothesis that symptoms in the total group of Cambodia veterans could be related to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome.

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“…Cortisol was assessed at four times during the day : 7± 8 AM; noon; 4± 5 PM; and 11± 12 PM. Ten of 11 tested had elevated levels at 11± 12 PM, which likely contributes to sleep disruption, commonly reported by MCS patients (Ziem and McTamney 1997). Controlling the ratio of carbohydrate to protein calories to roughly 2 to 1 and giving preference to lowglycemic carbohydrates could reduce this effect, because cortisol is released when the body corrects the blood sugar drop resulting from insulin secretion needed for carbohydrate breakdown.…”

Section: Some Potentially Treatable Consequences Of Chemical Injurymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many chemicals have not been evaluated for their ability to disrupt porphyrin metabolism in animals or humans. Of 14 patients with MCS tested through the Mayo Medical Laboratory, 12 had evidence of porphyrin disturbance (Ziem and McTamney 1997). Although the degree of porphyrin disturbance was milder than with congenital porphyria, 6 of the 12 affected patients had involvement of more than one enzyme in porphyrin metabolism.…”

Section: Petrochemical-induced Injurymentioning

confidence: 99%

Profile of Patients with Chemical Injury and Sensitivity, Part II

Ziem¹

1999

Int J Toxicol

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Exposures which can induce multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) involve symptomatic, usually repeated, exposures to pesticides, solvents, combustion products, remodeling, sick buildings, carbonless copy paper (occupational heavy use) and other irritants and petrochemicals. Accompanying toxic injury often involves the immune, endocrine and nervous systems as well as impairments in detoxication, energy and neurotransmitter metabolism, protein, mineral, and other nutrient de ciencies and gastrointestinal changes such as candida, parasites, reduced chymotrypsin (marker enzyme for reduced pancreatic enzyme function), gluten intolerance, and reduced Secretory IgA. Chronic cortisol elevation leading to adrenal insuf ciency if not corrected is common. Such elevation can lead to protein and mineral de ciencies with increased osteoporosis and reduced steroid precursors for normal estrogen and testosterone production. Detoxi cation changes often involve reduction in one or more Phase II pathways which causes excess free radical production. Impaired digestive enzymes can reduce breakdown of foods, with larger more antigenic molecules being absorbed and consequent food intolerances. Many of these conditions are treatable. There is extensive overlap of MCS with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia which may be one condition in many cases. Current occupational exposure limits are not health based and thus may not prevent MCS and are totally inadequate to accommodate sensitive persons. Warning symptoms indicating increased risk for MCS onset include repeated headache, eye and respiratory irritation and fatigue. Eliminating exposures which cause repeated symptoms is a critical strategy for preventing sensitization and MCS. It also signi cantly reduces the degree of disability in persons with MCS, the single most important factor from the literature. Affected persons with disability can utilize the Americans With Disability Act to request reasonable accommodations for work, home (condo, apartment), and school.

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Profile of Patients with Chemical Injury and Sensitivity

Abstract: 417-436 (1997)

Cited by 36 publications

References 39 publications

A review of multiple chemical sensitivity.

A review of multiple chemical sensitivity.

Chemical Sensitivity in Symptomatic Cambodia Veterans

Profile of Patients with Chemical Injury and Sensitivity, Part II

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