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Results for “Multiple Chemical Sensitivity”

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PubMed2000

Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome: symptom prevalence and risk factors in a military population.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of and risk factors for self-reported symptoms suggestive of multiple chemical sensitivities/idiopathic environmental intolerance (MCS/IEI) in Persian Gulf War (PGW) veterans from Iowa and a comparison group of PGW-era military personnel. METHODS: A population-based sample of Iowa military personnel was surveyed using a cross-sectional telephone interview. Study participants were randomly drawn from 1 of 4 domains: PGW active duty, PGW National Guard/Reserve, non-PGW active duty, and non-PGW National Guard/Reserve. A complex sample survey design was used selecting participants from the following substrata: age, sex, race, rank, and military branch. The criteria for MCS/IEI were developed using expert consensus and the medical literature. RESULTS: A total of 3695 study participants (76% of those eligible) completed the telephone survey. The prevalence of symptoms suggestive of MCS/IEI in all participants was 3.4%. Veterans of the PGW reported a significantly higher prevalence of symptoms suggestive of MCS/IEI than did non-PGW military personnel (5.4% vs 2.6%); greater sensitivity to organic chemicals, vehicle exhaust, cosmetics, and smog; and more lifestyle changes. The following risk factors for MCS/IEI were identified with univariate analysis: deployment to the Persian Gulf, age (>25 years), female sex, receiving a physician diagnosis of MCS, previous professional psychiatric treatment, previous psychotropic medication use, current psychiatric illness, and a low level of preparedness. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified several independent risk factors for MCS/IEI, including deployment to the Persian Gulf, age, sex, rank, branch of service, previous professional psychiatric treatment, and current mental illness. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported symptoms suggestive of MCS/IEI are relatively frequent in a military population and are more common among PGW veterans than comparable controls. Reported chemical sensitivities and accompanying behavioral changes were also frequent. After adjusting for age, sex, and training preparedness, previous professional psychiatric treatment and previous psychotropic medication use (before deployment) showed a robust association with symptoms suggestive of MCS.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Multiple chemical sensitivity in sick-building syndrome].

The sick building syndrome includes irritation of the eyes and the respiratory tract neurotoxicity affectation and skin problems, which can occur in individuals under improperly ventilated buildings. Poor air quality, as shown in CO2 atmospheric levels of more than 1,000 ppm, results in a pathological exposure to biological and chemical products. We present a work-related case of multiple chemical hypersensitivity from a dialysis unit that had no air renewal. This person, who was summitted to continuous exposure despite having taken corrective measures in the ventilation, developed chronic fatigue syndrome. An acoustic voice observation alerted of the case which led to the analysis of the environmental conditions which confirmed the relationship between multiple chemical hypersensitivity and chronic fatigue syndrome. This case stresses the neglected fact that all health service centres pose a high risk of chemical exposure and that there exists a lack of rigoroursness in putting in practice scientific medical knowledge.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMed1998

[Multiple chemical sensitivity: a new type of toxicity?].

Multiplechemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition manifested by the appearance of variable symptoms, involving many systems and organs, after exposure to extremely low levels of chemicals, mainly pesticides and solvents. The paper discusses briefly the main hypotheses concerning causes and mechanisms of MCS development. It was emphasized that during neurotoxicity assessment is necessary to pay more attention to these aspects of toxic effects of chemicals likely to generate MSc.

Environmental Exposure↗
PubMed2002

Is multiple chemical sensitivity a clinically defined entity?

In 1996 a WHO/IPCS Workshop has suggested to use as an appropriate descriptor of MCS the broader term "Idiopathic Environmental Intolerances (IEI)", in order to incorporate "a number of disorders sharing similar symptomatologies". Research was strongly encouraged. The following points have been put forward as a precondition to define MCS as a clinical entity: (a) establishment of diagnostic criteria, (b) identification of pathogenic mechanisms, together with, (c) an explanation of relationship between exposures and symptoms. Against this background, progress made in the fields of sensory physiology and neurobehaviour research must be debated. In particular, recent results on processing of cognitive stimuli have to be considered. IEI/MCS patients exhibited differences vs. controls in their reactions to intranasal challenge, consistent with changes in cognitive processing of suprathreshold chemosensory information. Trait anxiety and focus of attention have clearly been identified as major components in eliciting neurobehavioural MCS symptoms. Hence, the question as to whether MCS should be regarded as a clinically defined entity remains controversial, but important progress can be noticed in elucidating and defining the nature of this phenomenon, by a combined effort of several disciplines (toxicology and behavioural toxicology, psychology and psychophysiology, and clinical medicine). The new situation will call for a re-evaluation of traditional positions.

Cognition↗
PubMed2001

Elevated nitric oxide/peroxynitrite mechanism for the common etiology of multiple chemical sensitivity, chronic fatigue syndrome, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

Various types of evidence implicate nitric oxide and an oxidant, possibly peroxynitrite, in MCS and chemical intolerance (CI). The positive feedback loops proposed earlier for CFS may explain the chronic nature of MCS (CI) as well as several of its other reported properties. These observations raise the possibility that this proposed elevated nitric oxide/peroxynitrite mechanism may be the mechanism of a new disease paradigm, answering the question raised by Miller earlier: "Are we on the threshold of a new theory of disease?"

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and others: allergological, environmental and psychological investigations in individuals with indoor air related complaints.

Clinical observations point to an expanding group of individuals attributing hypersensitivity phenomena to indoor air pollution. It was the aim of this study to characterize such subjects by an interdisciplinary approach. Sixty-five individuals, recruited by a public campaign, were studied by a thorough allergological examination and a structured psychological interview. Measurements of common indoor pollutants in the air and in the dust were performed in rooms of several selected patients. Forty-two patients (65%) revealed a sensitization to common allergens, out of these 32 (49%) to house dust mites. Thirty-eight (58%) patients showed a psychosomatic or psychotic disorder. Increased concentrations of at least one of the measured indoor air pollutants were found in 11 out of 13 investigated houses. According to these results, four groups of patients could be identified: Seventeen patients (26%) had "classic" allergic diseases treated inadequately. In 19 patients (29%) allergic diseases were superimposed by strong psychosomatic interactions. An exclusive psychosomatic or psychotic cause of the complaints was found in 19 (29%). Ten subjects (16%) had "classic" allergic diseases (e.g. allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, urticaria), however, there were additional indications of hypersensitivity reactions to components other than classical allergens. Patients presenting with hypersensitivity phenomena attributed by themselves to indoor air pollution are a heterogeneous group and need a diligent work-up including intense allergological examination. The role of increased concentrations of indoor air pollutants has to be elucidated further.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Idiopathic environmental intolerances (formerly multiple chemical sensitivity) psychiatric perspectives.

Idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI)/multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is characterized by various somatic symptoms which cannot be explained organically, but are attributed to the influences of toxic environmental chemicals in low, usually harmless doses. In the absence of a widely accepted definition of IEI, contradictory aetiological hypotheses and therapeutic suggestions are discussed. Some authors doubt the existence of IEI/MCS as a disease entity of its own. The label IEI does not implicate neither a diagnosis of somatic disease nor that it is caused by an avoidable exposure. Many IEI patients suffer from psychiatric diseases. A majority of them can be diagnosed as somatoform disorders. Consequently, psychiatric therapies could be effective. This review describes the current knowledge about IEI/MCS, outlines a diagnostic algorithm and a psychotherapeutic concept for variants of IEI understood as a somatoform disorder.

Comorbidity↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Symptomatology and etiology of multiple chemical sensitivities in the southeastern United States.

A questionnaire was administered to individuals who had reported a hypersensitivity to common chemical products in an earlier epidemiological study in the Atlanta, Georgia, metropolitan area. The questionnaire investigated the nature of the symptoms and factors that potentially initiated hypersensitivity and subsequently triggered reactions. Also examined were associated lifestyle modifications and the relationships of hypersensitivity with other illnesses. The authors found that a majority of hypersensitive individuals (52.2%) experienced either "severe" or "somewhat severe" symptoms. The most common triggers of symptoms were cleaning products (88.4%), tobacco smoke (82.6%), perfume (81.2%), pesticides (81.2%), and car exhaust (72.5%). Only 1.4% of the subjects had a prior history of emotional problems, whereas 37.7% developed such problems after the emergence of their hypersensitivity. Lifestyle modifications varied; 76.8% changed their household cleaning/personal hygiene products, 47.8% began using water and/or air filtration systems, and 13% found it necessary to change residence. Although hypersensitivity was more common in females than males, the condition affects individuals in all categories of race/ethnicity, age, household income, and educational level.

Adult↗