Symptom attribution and risk perception in individuals with idiopathic environmental intolerance to electromagnetic fields and in the general population

Dongen, Diana van; Smid, Tjabe; Timmermans, Daniëlle R. M.

doi:10.1177/1757913913492931

Cited by 27 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…Their symptoms are listed in Table and their environmental sensitivities in Table . These observations are consistent with available data on EHS persons: they appear mostly as middle‐aged women, who suffer from numerous non‐specific symptoms affecting various organs or functions, and report sensitivity to many ELF and RF sources as well as other environmental factors (especially odors and chemicals) [e.g., Kato and Johansson, ; Hagström et al, ; van Dongen et al, ; Andrianome et al, ].…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

“…However, these studies of the genesis of EHS persons’ attributions have several limitations. First, their limited sample sizes preclude generalization of their results, while the recruitment of subjects via EHS activist or support groups may have caused a bias toward a severe form of IEI‐EMF [van Dongen et al, ]. Second, since these studies use qualitative interviews, they are vulnerable to recall and perception bias (e.g., subjects might remember better or grant more importance to past events consistent with their current attribution).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Becoming electro‐hypersensitive: A replication study

Dieudonné

2019

Bioelectromagnetics

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Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance attributed to Electromagnetic Fields (IEI-EMF) is an emerging environmental illness that is characterized by the attribution of various symptoms to electromagnetic fields (EMF). To date, research has not succeeded in objectifying the illness' semiology or etiology. IEI-EMF remains impossible to define other than in terms of the attributions of the persons affected. Yet, the genesis of these attributions is still not well understood. This study's objective is to replicate previous results relating to them, while correcting their limitations. Sixteen electro-hypersensitive (EHS) subjects lent themselves to both a sociological interview and a medical interview, and completed a set of standardized questionnaires. Three distinct types of biographical trajectories leading to persons becoming convinced of their hypersensitivity were identified, which were called the Reticent Attribution model, the Prior Attribution model, and the By Proxy Attribution model. These three models of EHS attribution process do not appear to lead to clinically distinct forms of IEI-EMF. What distinguishes them is the way in which the initial suspicion of the electromagnetic environment emerges. They demonstrate a diversification of the pathways to IEI-EMF. Nonetheless, in each model, the learning process that enables the EHS attribution to be materialized and operationalized is identical. The ability to establish causation between the electromagnetic environment and their condition is therefore the result of EHS subjects' trajectories, rather than their starting point. This observation is not congruent with models attributing IEI-EMF to nocebo reactions, which raises the question of these models' ecological validity.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 87%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Becoming electro‐hypersensitive: A replication study

Dieudonné

2019

Bioelectromagnetics

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“…Overall, there was an increasing trend in the prevalence after the first report in 1994, but recently, the prevalence seemed to be in decline. Specifically, prevalence rates in all the three countries with more than one estimate after 2006 in our meta-analysis had declined: from 13.3% in 2007 to 4.6% in 2013 in Taiwan, from 7.0% in 2009 [ 29 ] to 3.5% in 2011 [ 31 ] in the Netherlands, and from 10.0% in 2009 [ 22 ] to 7.0% in 2013 [ 22 ] in Germany (Fig. 2 ).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 92%

“… 3095/30047 Schreier et al, 2006 [ 13 ] 2004 Telephone survey Switzerland Persons were classified as EHS individuals if they reported adverse health effects from an EMF source at the time of the interview or anytime in the past. 107/2048 Institut für angewandte Sozialwissenschaft GmbH (INFAS), 2006 [ 23 ] 2003 Telephone survey Germany Questionnaire: “Degree of anxiety and impairment due to electromagnetic fields of mobile radio, referring to different sources of electromagnetic fields, types of impairment.” 200/2500 2004 225/2500 2005 250/2502 2006 225 /2500 Lauff & Wachenfeld, 2014 [ 22 ] 2009 250/2500 2013 181/2500 Tseng et al, 2011 [ 14 ] 2007 Telephone survey Taiwan “While being near EMF sources such as mobile phone, electrical devices, or computer, will you feel allergic or sensitive?” 170/1278 Röösli et al, 2010 [ 28 ] 2008 Web-based questionnaire Switzerland “Are you electrohypersensitive?” 96/1122 2009 86/1122 van Dongen et al, 2014 [ 29 ] 2009–2010 Web-based questionn Netherlands/Amsterdam “Do you believe you are sensitive to electromagnetic fields?” 72/1009 Nordin et al, 2013 [ 27 ] 2010 Mailed questionnaire Sweden/Västerbotten The responders self-reported of having been diagnosed as IEI-EMF by a physician. 15/3406 Baliatsas et al, 2014 [ 31 ] 2011 Mailed questionnaire Netherlands “I am sensitive to mobile phone base stations and devices related to communication systems”; “I am sensitive to electrical devices.” 202/5789 <...>…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…When the media pays less attention to IEI-EMF, the number people attributing their discomfort to EMF may decrease. For example, a study in the Netherlands found that the number of newspaper articles decreased from 87 in the first year (March 2008 to March 2009) to 68 in the second year (March 2009 to March 2010), and a decline in the prevalence of IEI-EMF from 7.0% in 2009 [ 29 ] to 3.5% in 2011 [ 31 ] was observed (Fig. 2 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Representative survey on idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields in Taiwan and comparison with the international literature

2018

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BackgroundElectromagnetic hypersensitivity refers to health effects attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) exposure and has been formally named “idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields” (IEI-EMF) by the World Health Organization. Because of the growing use of cell phones, IEI-EMF has become a global public health concern. A survey in 2007 in Taiwan showed that the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF was 13.3%, which is higher than rates in studies conducted previously. The survey also found that the rate was higher in women.MethodsTo evaluate whether the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF is increasing and to verify the higher risk in women, we conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey using the same methods as the 2007 survey to assess the change in the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF in Taiwan. We also conducted a review of the literature and a meta-analysis to evaluate the changes in the prevalence rate around the world.ResultsOn the basis of the representative sample of 3303 participants, we found that the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF in Taiwan declined from 13.3% to 4.6% over a period of 5 years. The literature review also found the prevalence rates in other countries to be decreasing, instead of increasing as predicted previously. The meta-analysis of the data from the literature showed that women are more likely to have IEI-EMF than men, with an odds ratio of 1.19 (95% confidence interval: 1.01—1.40).ConclusionsWe found the prevalence rate of IEI-EMF has been declining, instead of increasing as predicted previously. Women are more likely to report having IEI-EMF than men. Further studies to explore the causes leading to the declines may help the public, scientific community, and government deal with idiopathic intolerance to other environmental exposures.

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Does electromagnetic hypersensitivity originate from nocebo responses? Indications from a qualitative study

Dieudonné

2015

Bioelectromagnetics

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Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance attributed to Electromagnetic Fields (IEI-EMF) is a condition in which symptoms are attributed to electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. As electro-hypersensitive (EHS) people have repeatedly been observed, during provocation trials, to report symptoms following perceived rather than actual exposure, the hypothesis has been put forward that IEI-EMF originates from psychological mechanisms, especially nocebo responses. This paper examines this hypothesis, using data from a qualitative study aimed at understanding how EHS people come to regard themselves as such. Forty self-diagnosed EHS people were interviewed. A typified model of their attribution process was then elaborated, inductively, from their narratives. This model is linear and composed of seven stages: (1) onset of symptoms; (2) failure to find a solution; (3) discovery of EHS; (4) gathering of information about EHS; (5) implicit appearance of conviction; (6) experimentation; (7) conscious acceptance of conviction. Overall, symptoms appear before subjects start questioning effects of EMF on their health, which is not consistent with the hypothesis that IEI-EMF originates from nocebo responses to perceived EMF exposure. However, such responses might occur at the sixth stage of the process, potentially reinforcing the attribution. It remains possible that some cases of IEI-EMF originate from other psychological mechanisms.

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Symptom attribution and risk perception in individuals with idiopathic environmental intolerance to electromagnetic fields and in the general population

Cited by 27 publications

References 36 publications

Becoming electro‐hypersensitive: A replication study

Becoming electro‐hypersensitive: A replication study

Representative survey on idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields in Taiwan and comparison with the international literature

Does electromagnetic hypersensitivity originate from nocebo responses? Indications from a qualitative study

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