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Köteles F, Nordin S, Claeson AS. Associations between symptoms, modern health worries, and somatosensory amplification in patients with building-related symptoms. J Psychosom Res 2023; 173:111476. [PMID: 37643562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of the present study was to investigate the associations between somatosensory amplification, modern health worries (MHWs), and symptoms among patients with building-related symptoms (BRS). METHODS Patients with self-reported and medically confirmed BRS (n = 83) were included in this cross-sectional study. The Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS) was used to quantify the tendency to amplify somatic sensations and perceive them as unpleasant and dangerous. Concerns about harmful effects of modern technologies were assessed with the Modern Health Worries Scale (MHWS). Symptoms commonly found in different forms of environmental intolerance were assessed with the Environmental Hypersensitivity Symptom Inventory (EHSI). RESULTS Patients with BRS were characterized by more frequent and more severe environmental hypersensitivity symptoms compared to a reference population. Females and those with co-morbid self-reported chemical intolerance reported even more symptoms. MHWS and SSAS scores showed weak to moderate associations with symptoms, even after adjusting for socio-economic variables. However, neither the mean MHWS score or the SSAS score of our sample differed from normative scores. CONCLUSION Patients with BRS are not characterized by elevated levels of MHWs and somatosensory amplification, thus other, psychosocial and/or environmental, factors may have contributed to the development of the condition. However, the associations between severity of symptoms and MHWs and somatosensory amplification suggest that psychosocial characteristics may substantially influence symptom experience in this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferenc Köteles
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Psychology, Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Steven Nordin
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
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Nordin S, Köteles F, Witthöft M, Van den Bergh O, Nyback MH, Sainio M. Impact of comorbidity on symptomatology in various types of environmental intolerance in a general Swedish and Finnish adult population. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 229:115945. [PMID: 37080270 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Comorbidity with various health conditions is common in environmental intolerances (EIs), which restricts understanding for what symptoms that are associated with the intolerance per se. The present objectives were to study (i) prevalence of a broad range of specific symptoms in chemical, building-related, electromagnetic field- (EMF) related, and sound EI, irrespective of comorbidity, (ii) prevalence of symptoms in body systems in exclusive EIs, and (iii) increased risk of symptoms in body systems in exclusive EIs that cannot be referred to functional somatic syndromes, inflammatory diseases or mental disorders. Cross-sectional data (n = 4941) were used from two combined population-based surveys, the Västerbotten (Sweden) and Österbotten (Finland) Environmental Health Studies. Categorization of EI cases and controls were based on self-reports. Symptoms were assessed with the Environmental Hypersensitivity Symptom Inventory, and these were converted to 27 symptoms of the International Classification of Primary Care, 2nd edition, in eight chapters of body systems. The results showed, with few exceptions, that all assessed specific symptoms were significantly more prevalent in all four EIs than in referents. Although a large overlap between EIs, characteristic body system symptoms were eye and respiratory symptoms in chemical and building-related intolerance, skin symptoms in EMF-related intolerance, and general and unspecified, digestive, eye, cardiovascular, neurological, and psychological symptoms in sound intolerance. After controlling for various comorbidities, all studied body system symptoms were positively associated with chemical intolerance, fewer with sound intolerance, only one with building-related intolerance, and none with EMF-related EI. In conclusion, a broad range of symptoms are reported in all four EIs implying common mechanisms, but symptoms of certain body systems are more likely to be reported in a certain EI that cannot be explained by comorbidity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Nordin
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
| | - Ferenc Köteles
- Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, Budapest, Hungary.
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, And Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.
| | | | | | - Markku Sainio
- Outpatient Clinic for Functional Disorders, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
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Watrin L, Nordin S, Szemerszky R, Wilhelm O, Witthöft M, Köteles F. Psychological models of development of idiopathic environmental intolerances: Evidence from longitudinal population-based data. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 204:111774. [PMID: 34506786 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The origin of idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEIs) is an open question. According to the psychological approaches, various top-down factors play a dominant role in the development of IEIs. The general psychopathology model assumes a propensity towards mental ill-health (negative affectivity) increases the probability of developing IEIs. The attribution model emphasizes the importance of mistaken attribution of experienced somatic symptoms; thus, more symptoms should lead to more IEIs. Finally, the nocebo model highlights the role of expectations in the development of IEIs. In this case, worries about the harmful effects of environmental factors are assumed to evoke IEIs. We estimated cross-lagged panel models with latent variables based on longitudinal data obtained at two time points (six years apart) from a large near-representative community sample to test the hypothesized associations. Indicators of chemical intolerance, electromagnetic hypersensitivity, and sound sensitivity fit well under a common latent factor of IEIs. This factor, in turn, showed considerable temporal stability. However, whereas a positive association was found between IEIs and increased somatic symptoms and modern health worries six years later, the changes therein could not be predicted as hypothesized by the three psychological models. We discuss the implications of these results, as well as methodological aspects in the measurement and prediction of change in IEIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luc Watrin
- Institute for Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Germany.
| | | | - Renáta Szemerszky
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary
| | - Oliver Wilhelm
- Institute for Psychology and Education, Ulm University, Germany
| | - Michael Witthöft
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy and Experimental Psychopathology, Johannes Gutenberg-University of Mainz, Germany
| | - Ferenc Köteles
- Institute of Health Promotion and Sport Sciences, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Hungary
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Speed LJ, Atkinson H, Wnuk E, Majid A. The Sound of Smell: Associating Odor Valence With Disgust Sounds. Cogn Sci 2021; 45:e12980. [PMID: 34018230 DOI: 10.1111/cogs.12980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Olfaction has recently been highlighted as a sense poorly connected with language. Odor is difficult to verbalize, and it has few qualities that afford mimicry by vision or sound. At the same time, emotion is thought to be the most salient dimension of an odor, and it could therefore be an olfactory dimension more easily communicated. We investigated whether sounds imitative of an innate disgust response can be associated with unpleasant odors. In two experiments, participants were asked to make a forced choice between a pseudoword including a disgust sound and a neutral pseudoword, for pleasant and unpleasant odors. Overall, participants chose more disgust pseudowords than neutral pseudowords for unpleasant odors, but this was not the case for pleasant odors. This effect was not driven by a general association between unpleasant sounds and unpleasant odors, but specifically the sounds [x/χ] and [f], thought to reflect physical responses to disgusting odors, as seen in the Polish fu! or the English ugh!. In line with growing evidence that language can encode odor, we provide the first experimental evidence for an association between the sound of a word and odor valence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ewelina Wnuk
- Department of Anthropology, University College London
| | - Asifa Majid
- Department of Psychology, University of York
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Sucker K, Zschiesche W, Aziz M, Drews T, Hummel T, Raulf M, Weiss T, Bury D, Breuer D, Werner S, Friedrich C, Bünger J, Pallapies D, Brüning T. Naphthalene: irritative and inflammatory effects on the airways. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2021; 94:889-899. [PMID: 33462664 PMCID: PMC8238736 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-020-01636-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Objective This cross-sectional study determined whether acute sensory irritative or (sub)chronic inflammatory effects of the eyes, nose or respiratory tract are observed in employees who are exposed to naphthalene at the workplace. Methods Thirtynine healthy and non-smoking male employees with either moderate (n = 22) or high (n = 17) exposure to naphthalene were compared to 22 male employees from the same plants with no or only rare exposure to naphthalene. (Sub)clinical endpoint measures included nasal endoscopy, smell sensitivity, self-reported work-related complaints and the intensity of naphthalene odor and irritation. In addition, cellular and soluble mediators in blood, nasal lavage fluid (NALF) and induced sputum (IS) were analysed. All measurements were carried out pre-shift on Monday and post-shift on Thursday. Personal air monitoring revealed naphthalene shift concentrations up to 11.6 mg/m3 with short-term peak concentrations up to 145.8 mg/m3 and 1- and 2-naphthol levels (sum) in post-shift urine up to 10.1 mg/L. Results Acute sensory irritating effects at the eyes and upper airways were reported to occur when directly handling naphthalene (e.g., sieving pure naphthalene). Generally, naphthalene odor was described as intense and unpleasant. Habituation effects or olfactory fatigue were not observed. Endoscopic examination revealed mild inflammatory effects at the nasal mucosa of exposed employees in terms of reddening and swelling and abnormal mucus production. No consistent pattern of cellular and soluble mediators in blood, NALF or IS was observed which would indicate a chronic or acute inflammatory effect of naphthalene in exposed workers. Conclusions The results suggest that exposure to naphthalene induces acute sensory irritative effects in exposed workers. No (sub)chronic inflammatory effects on the nasal epithelium or the respiratory tract could be observed under the study conditions described here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Sucker
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Bochum, Germany.
| | - Wolfgang Zschiesche
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Mohammed Aziz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Interdisciplinary Center "Smell and Taste", TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tanja Drews
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Interdisciplinary Center "Smell and Taste", TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Interdisciplinary Center "Smell and Taste", TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Monika Raulf
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Tobias Weiss
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniel Bury
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Dietmar Breuer
- Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA), Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Silke Werner
- Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA), Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Claudia Friedrich
- Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance (IFA), Sankt Augustin, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bünger
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Dirk Pallapies
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Brüning
- Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance (IPA), Bochum, Germany
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Danioth L, Brotschi G, Croy I, Friedrich H, Caversaccio MD, Negoias S. Multisensory environmental sensitivity in patients with chronic tinnitus. J Psychosom Res 2020; 135:110155. [PMID: 32534321 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2020.110155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2019] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study aimed at investigating the sensitivity to noise and chemosensory environmental stressors as well as the relation to perceived stress, depression and anxiety in subjects with chronic tinnitus as compared to subjects without tinnitus. METHODS We included 75 subjects with chronic tinnitus and 75 age and sex-matched subjects without tinnitus. Standardized questionnaires assessing the level of distress and impairment of quality of life caused by tinnitus, perceived level of stress, anxiety and depression, environmental noise and chemosensory sensitivity were used. A subgroup of 27 subjects with chronic tinnitus and 20 age-matched subjects without tinnitus underwent testing of olfactory function with the Sniffin' Sticks test and testing of intranasal trigeminal function using CO2 thresholds. RESULTS Our data confirmed the increased environmental noise sensitivity (NSS) in patients with tinnitus. Furthermore, we observed an increased environmental chemosensory sensitivity (CSS), but no difference in measured chemosensory function. Subjects with tinnitus showed also significant higher levels of perceived stress, anxiety and depression and those symptoms partially correlated to CSS and NSS. Predictors of both NSS and CSS results were the presence / absence of tinnitus and high anxiety levels while neither stress nor depression were found as predicting variables. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that chronic tinnitus is related to a multisensory environmental hypersensitivity. Anxiety seems to be a predictor of this environmental vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Danioth
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, lnselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern CH-3010, Switzerland
| | - Gladys Brotschi
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, lnselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern CH-3010, Switzerland
| | - Ilona Croy
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, Dresden 01307, Germany
| | - Hergen Friedrich
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, lnselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern CH-3010, Switzerland; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Children's Hospital Zurich, Steinwiesstrasse 75, 8032, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marco-Domenico Caversaccio
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, lnselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern CH-3010, Switzerland
| | - Simona Negoias
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, lnselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern CH-3010, Switzerland; Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Basel University Hospital, University of Basel, Basel CH-4051, Switzerland.
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7
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Rosenkranz D, Bünger J, Hoffmeyer F, Monsé C, van Kampen V, Raulf M, Brüning T, Sucker K. How Healthy Is Healthy? Comparison Between Self-Reported Symptoms and Clinical Outcomes in Connection with the Enrollment of Volunteers for Human Exposure Studies on Sensory Irritation Effects. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1271:49-59. [DOI: 10.1007/5584_2019_472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
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Morice AH, Millqvist E, Bieksiene K, Birring SS, Dicpinigaitis P, Domingo Ribas C, Hilton Boon M, Kantar A, Lai K, McGarvey L, Rigau D, Satia I, Smith J, Song WJ, Tonia T, van den Berg JWK, van Manen MJG, Zacharasiewicz A. ERS guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in adults and children. Eur Respir J 2020; 55:1901136. [PMID: 31515408 PMCID: PMC6942543 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.01136-2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 405] [Impact Index Per Article: 101.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
These guidelines incorporate the recent advances in chronic cough pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. The concept of cough hypersensitivity has allowed an umbrella term that explains the exquisite sensitivity of patients to external stimuli such a cold air, perfumes, smoke and bleach. Thus, adults with chronic cough now have a firm physical explanation for their symptoms based on vagal afferent hypersensitivity. Different treatable traits exist with cough variant asthma (CVA)/eosinophilic bronchitis responding to anti-inflammatory treatment and non-acid reflux being treated with promotility agents rather the anti-acid drugs. An alternative antitussive strategy is to reduce hypersensitivity by neuromodulation. Low-dose morphine is highly effective in a subset of patients with cough resistant to other treatments. Gabapentin and pregabalin are also advocated, but in clinical experience they are limited by adverse events. Perhaps the most promising future developments in pharmacotherapy are drugs which tackle neuronal hypersensitivity by blocking excitability of afferent nerves by inhibiting targets such as the ATP receptor (P2X3). Finally, cough suppression therapy when performed by competent practitioners can be highly effective. Children are not small adults and a pursuit of an underlying cause for cough is advocated. Thus, in toddlers, inhalation of a foreign body is common. Persistent bacterial bronchitis is a common and previously unrecognised cause of wet cough in children. Antibiotics (drug, dose and duration need to be determined) can be curative. A paediatric-specific algorithm should be used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyn H Morice
- Respiratory Research Group, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK
| | - Eva Millqvist
- Dept of Internal Medicine/Respiratory Medicine and Allergology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kristina Bieksiene
- Dept of Pulmonology, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Kaunas, Lithuania
| | - Surinder S Birring
- Centre for Human and Applied Physiological Sciences, School of Basic and Medical Biosciences, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London, London, UK
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, King's College Hospital, London, UK
| | - Peter Dicpinigaitis
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Christian Domingo Ribas
- Pulmonary Service, Corporació Sanitària Parc Taulí (Sabadell), Dept of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Michele Hilton Boon
- MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Ahmad Kantar
- Pediatric Cough and Asthma Center, Istituti Ospedalieri Bergamaschi, University and Research Hospitals, Bergamo, Italy
| | - Kefang Lai
- Dept of Clinical Research, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Health, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Representing the Chinese Thoracic Society
| | - Lorcan McGarvey
- Centre for Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - David Rigau
- Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Imran Satia
- Dept of Medicine, Division of Respirology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- University of Manchester, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Jacky Smith
- University of Manchester, Division of Infection, Immunity and Respiratory Medicine, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
| | - Woo-Jung Song
- Airway Sensation and Cough Research Laboratory, Dept of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Representing the Asia Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology (APAAACI)
| | | | | | - Mirjam J G van Manen
- Dept of Respiratory Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Angela Zacharasiewicz
- Dept of Pediatrics, Teaching Hospital of the University of Vienna, Wilhelminen Hospital, Vienna, Austria
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Söderholm A, Liljelind I, Edvardsson B, Nordin S. Development and evaluation of a questionnaire instrument for chemical intolerance, based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Disabil Rehabil 2019; 43:1756-1763. [PMID: 31591906 DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2019.1672812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose was to develop a questionnaire instrument to measure difficulties in activities and participation, and impact of environmental factors in chemical intolerance, based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and to assess its validity and reliability. METHOD Development in three steps: (1) choosing items of relevance for chemical intolerance with an expert group, (2) conducting interviews with persons with chemical intolerance, using sampling to redundancy, (3) conducting a survey with 112 respondents at a first assessment and 91 at a second assessment for test-retest. RESULTS The final version of the instrument consists of 57 items divided in three parts, which showed good internal consistency in each part, Cronbach alpha: 0.73-0.87. It had good content validity, readability and face validity. Test-retest showed good to very good (≥0.61) Kappa agreement for 37 items, and moderate (0.41-0.60) for 17 items. Three items had poor or fair (<0.41) Kappa agreement. CONCLUSION The instrument was found to be valid and reliable. It can be used as a clinical tool to help persons with chemical intolerance to receive the best suited help and support for each individual, identify key points in rehabilitation, measure rehabilitation outcome and establish priority for treatment.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONThe questionnaire instrument based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health which was developed and evaluated in this study, can be used to measure difficulties in activities and participation, and impact of environmental factors in chemical intolerance.Persons with chemical intolerance report lack of support from healthcare and society. Using this questionnaire instrument can help forming the best suited help and support for each individual based on his/her preconditions.This questionnaire instrument can be used to identify key points in rehabilitation and measure rehabilitation outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Söderholm
- Department of Public Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.,Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | | | - Steven Nordin
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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Hsu DW, Suh JD. Prevalence and Risk Factors for Olfactory Hallucinations: The Phantom Menace. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2018; 144:814-815. [PMID: 30128479 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2018.1556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- David W Hsu
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles
| | - Jeffrey D Suh
- Department of Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles
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11
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Sjölund S, Larsson M, Olofsson JK, Seubert J, Laukka EJ. Phantom Smells: Prevalence and Correlates in a Population-Based Sample of Older Adults. Chem Senses 2017; 42:309-318. [PMID: 28334095 PMCID: PMC5863552 DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjx006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Loss of olfactory function is common in old age, but evidence regarding qualitative olfactory dysfunction in the general older population is scarce. The current study investigates the prevalence and correlates of phantom smell experiences (phantosmia) in a population-based study (Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen [SNAC-K]) of Swedish adults (n = 2569) aged between 60 and 90 years. Phantosmia was assessed through a standardized interview and defined as reporting having experienced an odor percept in the absence of any stimuli in the surrounding environment that could emit the odor. The relationships between phantosmia and demographic, genetic, health-related, and behavioral variables were analyzed with hierarchical logistic regression analyses. The overall prevalence of phantom smells was 4.9%, and was associated with female gender, carrying the met allele of the BDNF gene, higher vascular risk burden, and reporting distorted smell sensations (parosmia). Olfactory dysfunction was, however, not related to phantosmia. The most frequently reported phantom smell was smoky/burnt. A novel finding was that some individuals reported phantom smells with an autobiographical connotation. The results from this study indicate that the prevalence of phantosmia in the general older population is not negligible and that some factors that are beneficial for preserved olfactory function, such as female gender and the BDNF met allele, are also associated with the occurrence of phantom smells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Sjölund
- Gösta Ekman's Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Frescati Hagväg 9 A, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Larsson
- Gösta Ekman's Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Frescati Hagväg 9 A, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jonas K Olofsson
- Gösta Ekman's Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Frescati Hagväg 9 A, 10691 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Janina Seubert
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychology Division, Karolinska Institutet, Nobels väg 9, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden.,Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Gävlegatan 16, 11330 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Erika J Laukka
- Aging Research Center, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm University, Gävlegatan 16, 11330 Stockholm, Sweden
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12
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Abstract
Olfaction is often viewed as difficult, yet the empirical evidence suggests a different picture. A closer look shows people around the world differ in their ability to detect, discriminate, and name odors. This gives rise to the question of what influences our ability to smell. Instead of focusing on olfactory deficiencies, this review presents a positive perspective by focusing on factors that make someone a better smeller. We consider three driving forces in improving olfactory ability: one’s biological makeup, one’s experience, and the environment. For each factor, we consider aspects proposed to improve odor perception and critically examine the evidence; as well as introducing lesser discussed areas. In terms of biology, there are cases of neurodiversity, such as olfactory synesthesia, that serve to enhance olfactory ability. Our lifetime experience, be it typical development or unique training experience, can also modify the trajectory of olfaction. Finally, our odor environment, in terms of ambient odor or culinary traditions, can influence odor perception too. Rather than highlighting the weaknesses of olfaction, we emphasize routes to harnessing our olfactory potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asifa Majid
- Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Laura Speed
- Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ilja Croijmans
- Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; International Max Planck Research School for Language Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Artin Arshamian
- Centre for Language Studies, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands; Division of Psychology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE A 5-year follow-up study showed that a group of patients with airway symptoms from chemicals and scents had lasting symptoms, together with enduring increased capsaicin cough sensitivity. The aim was to follow up the same patients after another 5 years. METHODS All previously participants were invited for an additional follow-up. They visited the clinic twice; at one opportunity, they undertook a capsaicin inhalation provocation, and at the other, a methacholine provocation, and answered various questionnaires. RESULTS Sixteen patients attende the study after a median of 8 years. They reported unchanged symptoms from chemicals and scents; the capsaicin cough sensitivity was still increased, and the repeatability for the capsaicin inhalation was good. CONCLUSIONS Airway symptoms induced by chemicals and scents constitute a chronic disease, with unchanged trigger factors, persistent symptoms, and unchanged, long-lasting sensory hyperreactivity.All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.This study was supported by grants from the Herman Krefting Foundation Against Asthma/Allergy, the Swedish Heart and Lung Foundation, and the Swedish Cancer and Allergy Fund.
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Nordin M, Nordin S. Sleep and sleepiness in environmental intolerances: a population-based study. Sleep Med 2016; 24:1-9. [PMID: 27810173 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND About one fourth of the general population report environmental intolerance (EI) to odorous/pungent chemicals, certain buildings, electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and/or sounds. EI sufferers show various clinical features, of which sleep disturbance is one. Sleep disturbance is common also in the general population, but it is not known whether the disturbance is more prominent in EI sufferers than in individuals who do not experience EI. Therefore, EI was compared on various sleep aspects with referents without EI. METHODS A population-based sample of 3406 individuals, aged 18-79 years, was recruited from Northern Sweden. Sleep quality, non-restorative sleep, daytime sleepiness, obstructive breathing, and nocturnal insomnia were assessed with the Karolinska Sleep Questionnaire. Single questions assessed time slept, amount of hours of needed sleep, and extent of enough time slept. RESULTS All four EI groups, compared to the referents, reported significantly poorer sleep quality, more non-restorative sleep, more daytime sleepiness, more obstructive breathing and higher prevalence of nocturnal insomnia than the referents. Nocturnal insomnia was an important factor for EI groups attributing their most prevalent symptoms to chemicals and sounds, irrespective of distress and certain syndromes. None of the EI groups differed significantly from the referents on time slept, but reported needing more sleep time (the EMF-intolerance group showing only a tendency), and all four groups reported to perceive enough sleep to a significantly lesser extent. CONCLUSION Sleep disturbance and daytime sleepiness are more common in individuals reporting EI compared to normal referents. Moreover, nocturnal insomnia is an important symptom in its own right in various types of EI. This evokes the question of whether or not sleep therapy may attenuate the severity of the EI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Nordin
- Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Sweden; Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Sweden.
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Ståhlberg L, Palmquist E, Nordin S. Intolerance to environmental chemicals and sounds in irritable bowel syndrome: Explained by central sensitization? J Health Psychol 2016; 23:1367-1377. [DOI: 10.1177/1359105316656242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study tested the hypotheses of irritable bowel syndrome showing (1) comorbidity with chemical and sound intolerance, other types of functionally somatic syndromes, and psychiatric disorders and (2) stronger than normal affective reactions to and behavioral disruptions from odorous/pungent chemicals and sounds in daily life. These hypotheses were tested by means of data from a large-scale population-based questionnaire study. The results showed comorbidity in irritable bowel syndrome with chemical and sound intolerance, fibromyalgia, migraine, post-traumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic syndrome, and depression as well as strong reactions/disruptions from odorous/pungent chemicals and sounds in irritable bowel syndrome.
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Turmel J, Gagnon S, Bernier M, Boulet LP. Eucapnic voluntary hyperpnoea and exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2015; 1:e000065. [PMID: 27900141 PMCID: PMC5117039 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2015-000065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is a common condition in endurance athletes. Exercise-induced vocal cord dysfunction (EIVCD) is a frequent confounder of EIB. The diagnosis of EIVCD may be challenging and can be missed as the problem is often intermittent and may only occur during intense exercise. Eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation (EVH) is the best test to detect EIB. This pilot study aimed to assess if EVH could be helpful in the diagnosis of EIVCD associated or not to EIB in athletes. METHODS A nasolaryngoscopy was performed during a 6 min EVH test, in 13 female athletes suspected to have VCD, aged 21±7 years. Image analysis was conducted by two Ear Nose and Throat surgeons in random order. RESULTS During the EVH, three athletes showed incomplete paradoxical vocal cords movement, without inspiratory stridor. However, 12 athletes showed marked supraglottic movement without inspiratory stridor. In two athletes, this supraglottic movement was severe, one showing a marked collapse of the epiglottis with an almost complete obstruction of the larynx by the arytenoid cartilage mucosa. In 3 of the 12 athletes with supraglottic movement, severe vibration of the mucosa covering the arytenoid cartilages was also observed. CONCLUSIONS EVH challenge in athletes can provide information on various types of glottic and supraglottic obstruction in reproducing laryngeal movements during hyperventilation. Our findings make us suggest that exercise induced upper airway obstructions should be named: Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO). Then, EILO should be divided in three categories: supraglottic, glottic (EIVCD) and mixed (glottic and supraglottic) obstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Turmel
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ) , Québec , Canada
| | - Simon Gagnon
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec , Québec , Canada
| | | | - Louis-Philippe Boulet
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec (CRIUCPQ) , Québec , Canada
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