The association between multiple chemical sensitivity and mental illness: Evidence from a nationally representative sample of Canadians

Johnson, Dylan; Colman, Ian

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2017.06.002

Cited by 23 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Regarding sex-based differences, almost all studies that have considered such differences in relation to MCS and chemical intolerance have found the rates to be higher in women than in men. 6,18,48 Notably, Hojo et al [49][50][51] reported that over 75% of MCS patients in Japan are women. This sex-based characteristic of MCS has been reported in studies around the world.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Many studies have identified an association between mental illness and various forms of chemical intolerance, including MCS. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] Further, some research has shown that MCS patients have significantly higher rates of depression and anxiety when compared with individuals without MCS. 11,20 Katerndahl et al, 19 examining a sample of 400 adults in primary care, found that, of those who met the criteria for chemical intolerance, 85% and 78% satisfied the criteria for major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, respectively.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Study of the Correlation Between Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Personality Using the Quick Environmental Exposure Sensitivity Inventory Questionnaire and the Temperament and Character Inventory

Hisada

Anai

et al. 2020

Journal of Occupational &Amp; Environmental Medicine

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Objective: We conducted an analysis using the Quick Environmental Exposure Sensitivity Inventory to examine the correlation between multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and personality traits by using temperament and character inventory, and environmental exposures. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 667 employees working at an IT manufacturing plant in Japan. Variables including chemically sensitive population (CSP), personality, and environmental chemical exposure were individually evaluated using U -test, chi-squared test, and correlation analyses. We also did covariance structure analysis to build a structural equation model. Results: There was little direct impact of temperament on the CSP, while there was a significant impact of character on the CSP. Women were more likely to exhibit symptoms of CSP. Conclusion: MCS is correlated with personality, impacted more by character acquired later in life than innate temperament. There were sex differences in the incidence of MCS.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Study of the Correlation Between Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Personality Using the Quick Environmental Exposure Sensitivity Inventory Questionnaire and the Temperament and Character Inventory

Hisada

Anai

et al. 2020

Journal of Occupational &Amp; Environmental Medicine

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“…Consequently, it is necessary that studies be conducted after the inclusion of such new chemicals. We are aware that subjective symptoms of patients with MCS are relatively undefined and may be based on psychosomatic correlations such as mental illness and a nocebo effect [42, 44, 48, 56, 57]. Therefore, an effective and objective test method needs to be developed as a matter of urgency.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

New criteria for multiple chemical sensitivity based on the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory developed in response to rapid changes in ongoing chemical exposures among Japanese

et al. 2019

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Background & objectives The Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) developed by Miller and Prihoda in the USA is used as a questionnaire for patients with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) in >10 countries. We developed a Japanese version of QEESI, assessed its reliability and validity, and defined original cut-off values for screening Japanese patients with MCS in 2003. Our recent study revealed that opportunities for exposure to various chemicals had increased for people in Japan, while subjective symptoms of MCS in patients had increased in severity. In this study, we considered new cut-off values that combined QEESI subscale scores based on the current situation in Japan. Methods The questionnaire used was a Japanese version of QEESI. The survey was conducted from 2012 to 2015. Participants were 111 patients with MCS (mean age: 46 ± 20, 81% female) initially diagnosed by physicians, and 444 age- and gender-matched controls not diagnosed with MCS by doctors. The discriminatory validity of QEESI scores of patients and controls were evaluated by logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses when considering interactions of the Masking Index (ongoing chemical exposure). New combined cut-off values were then set. Results New combined cut-off values (meeting conditions of Chemical Intolerances ≥ 30, Symptom Severity ≥ 13, and Life Impacts ≥ 17) showed high sensitivity (82.0%) and specificity (94.4%). Using new criteria when considering ongoing chemical exposure, study participants were categorized as: Very suggestive, Somewhat suggestive, Problematic, and Not suggestive. Participants classified as Very suggestive included 25 (5.6%) controls. Conclusions We have set new criteria with combined cut-off values based on current Japanese conditions. Such new criteria can be used for screening and as a diagnostic aid for Japanese patients with MCS and suggest approximately 6% of the Japanese general population may be classified as “Very suggestive people with MCS”.

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“…There was longitudinal stability of these conditions over a year and baseline negative affectivity and somatosensory ampli cation (a tendency to focus and amplify symptoms) predicted these conditions at one year follow up [49]. A strong association has been found between Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance and mood, anxiety and somatoform disorders across the lifecourse [50] and equally between MCS and major depressive disorder, and generalised anxiety disorder and severe psychological distress [51].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Road traffic noise, noise sensitivity, psychological and physical health and mortality

Stansfeld¹,

Clark²,

M³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background: Both physical and psychological health outcomes have been associated with exposure to environmental noise. It is not known whether all individuals are equally susceptible to these effects. Noise sensitivity has chiefly been examined in studies of annoyance where it has been shown to moderate the annoyance responses to transport-related noise. Noise sensitivity could have the same moderating effect on physical and psychological health outcomes related to environmental noise exposure but this has been little tested. Noise sensitivity which is also associated with sensitivity to chemicals, light and odours could be an indicator of a more pervasive susceptibility to ill-health related to environmental sources. Methods: A cohort of 2398 men between 45 and 59 years, the longitudinal Caerphilly Collaborative Heart Disease study, was established in 1984/88 and followed into the mid-1990 s. Road traffic noise maps were assessed at baseline. Baseline psychological ill-health measures were measured in phase 2 in 1984/88, at phase 3 follow up 1989/93 and phase 4 follow up in 1993/6.Ischaemic heart disease and risk factors were measured in clinic and by questionnaire at baseline and through hospital records and administrative records of deaths during follow up. This study aimed to test if noise sensitivity has a moderating effect on road traffic noise and psychological ill-health and secondly if noise sensitivity predicted physical and psychological ill- health and mortality, irrespective of exposure to road traffic noise. Results: Road traffic noise was associated with Phase 4 psychological ill-health but only among those exposed to 56-60dBA (OR = 1.98 95%CI 1.21, 3.24). High noise sensitivity was associated with lower mortality risk (HR = 0.71, 95%CI 0.54–0.94). High noise sensitivity was associated longitudinally with psychological ill-health at phase 3 (OR = 1.82 95%CI1.30, 2.56). There was also weak evidence that noise sensitivity moderated the association of road traffic noise exposure with psychological ill-health. Conclusions: Noise sensitivity is a specific predictor of psychological ill-health and may be an indicator of current psychological ill-health as part of a wider construct of environmental susceptibility. It may increase the risk of psychological ill-health when exposed to road traffic noise.

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The association between multiple chemical sensitivity and mental illness: Evidence from a nationally representative sample of Canadians

Cited by 23 publications

References 48 publications

Study of the Correlation Between Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Personality Using the Quick Environmental Exposure Sensitivity Inventory Questionnaire and the Temperament and Character Inventory

Study of the Correlation Between Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Personality Using the Quick Environmental Exposure Sensitivity Inventory Questionnaire and the Temperament and Character Inventory

New criteria for multiple chemical sensitivity based on the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory developed in response to rapid changes in ongoing chemical exposures among Japanese

Road traffic noise, noise sensitivity, psychological and physical health and mortality

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