Symptom Profile of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Actual Life

Bibliographic Data

ID19308554
AuthorsMariko Saito (0000-0001-9383-4458, The University of Tokyo), Hiroaki Kumano (0000-0001-6245-5535, corresponding author), Kazuhiro Yoshiuchi (0000-0002-8164-4910), Naomi Kokubo (0000-0002-6904-9107), Kyoko Ohashi (0000-0002-9482-606X), Yoshiharu Yamamoto (0000-0002-1132-0355), Naohide Shinohara (0000-0001-7675-6929), Yukio Yanagisawa, Kou Sakabe, Mikio Miyata, Satoshi Ishikawa (0000-0002-6015-8921), Tomifusa Kuboki
Year2005
Volume67
Issue2
Pages318-325
Publication date2005-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePsychosomatic Medicine (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0033-3174 • E-ISSN: 1534-7796
PublisherOvid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1097/01.psy.0000155676.69030.28
PMID15784800
OpenAlexW2159299638
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited23

Objective: This study was conducted to confirm the definition of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) in actual life: that multiple symptoms are provoked in multiple organs by exposure to, and ameliorated by avoidance of, multiple chemicals at low levels. We used the Ecological Momentary Assessment to monitor everyday symptoms and the active sampling and passive sampling methods to measure environmental chemical exposure. Methods: Eighteen patients with MCS, diagnosed according to the 1999 consensus criteria, and 12 healthy controls participated in this study. Fourteen patients and 12 controls underwent 1-week measurement of physical and psychologic symptoms and of the levels of exposure to various chemicals. Linear mixed models were used to test the hypotheses regarding the symptom profile of MCS patients. Results: Some causative chemicals were detected in 11 of 14 MCS patients. Two other patients did not report any hypersensitivity episodes, whereas passive sampling showed far less exposure to chemicals than control subjects. Another subject reported episodic symptoms but was excluded from the following analyses because no possible chemical was detected. Eleven of the 17 physical symptoms and all four mood subscales examined were significantly aggravated in the interview based on “patient-initiated symptom prompts.” On the other hand, there were no differences in physical symptoms or mood subscales between MCS patients and control subjects in the interview based on “random prompts.” Conclusions: MCS patients do not have either somatic or psychologic symptoms under chemical-free conditions, and symptoms may be provoked only when exposed to chemicals. AS = active sampling; AS–PS method = active sampling and passive sampling methods; CAS = the concentration of exposure estimated by the AS method; CFS = chronic fatigue syndrome; CPS = the concentration of exposure estimated by the PS method; CS = chemical sensitivity; DAMS = Depression and Anxiety Mood Scale; DNPH = 2,4-dinitrophenyl-hydrazine; ED = electronic diary; EESI = Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory; EMA = Ecological Momentary Assessment; FM = fibromyalgia; M.I.N.I. = Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview; MCS = multiple chemical sensitivity; PS = passive sampling; RSD = relative standard deviation; RSDAS = RSD of repeatability test in the AS method; RSDPS = RSD of repeatability test in the PS method; VOCs = volatile organic compounds

Multiple chemical sensitivity · Psychiatry · Sensitivity (control systems) · Alcoholism and Thiamine Deficiency · Engineering · Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research · Medicine · Psychology · Psychosomatic Disorders and Their Treatments

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