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Fares-Medina S, Díaz-Caro I, García-Montes R, Corral-Liria I, García-Gómez-Heras S. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome: First Symptoms and Evolution of the Clinical Picture: Case-Control Study/Epidemiological Case-Control Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15891. [PMID: 36497963 PMCID: PMC9737200 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic condition characterized by the appearance of symptoms caused by exposure to chemical compounds that are tolerable for the general population. It mainly affects middle-aged women. There are very few studies focusing on the most frequent symptoms of MCS considering age groups and gender. The main goal of this study was to find the most frequent symptoms both at the onset of the disease and at the present time describing them by age groups. The QEESI (Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory) questionnaire, Scale 3 which assesses symptoms and their severity, was used as a diagnostic tool for the disease. A case-control study was conducted with the participation of 210 people. Of the cases, 94.3% were women. The symptoms that most often manifested first were airway and mucous membrane alterations (68.9%). In the development of the disease, we found cognitive alterations (OR = 31.25), heart or chest problems (OR = 22.49), neuromuscular problems (OR = 20.00) and head-related symptomatology (OR = 19.29). Identifying the most frequent pattern of symptoms by age group and sex will allow an early diagnosis of the disease to improve its prognosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Fares-Medina
- Student International Doctoral School, Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC), 28922 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Rebeca García-Montes
- Student International Doctoral School, Rey Juan Carlos University (URJC), 28922 Madrid, Spain
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Del Casale A, Ferracuti S, Mosca A, Pomes LM, Fiaschè F, Bonanni L, Borro M, Gentile G, Martelletti P, Simmaco M. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome: A Principal Component Analysis of Symptoms. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17186551. [PMID: 32916833 PMCID: PMC7558401 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17186551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic and/or recurrent condition with somatic, cognitive, and affective symptoms following a contact with chemical agents whose concentrations do not correlate with toxicity in the general population. Its prevalence is not well defined; it mainly affects women between 40 and 50 years, without variations in ethnicity, education and economic status. We aimed to assess the core symptoms of this illness in a sample of Italian patients. Two physicians investigated different symptoms with a checklist compilation in 129 patients with MCS (117 women). We conducted a categorical Principal Component Analysis (CATPCA) with Varimax rotation on the checklist dataset. A typical triad was documented: hyperosmia, asthenia, and dyspnoea were the most common symptoms. Patients also frequently showed cough and headache. The CATPCA showed seven main factors: 1, neurocognitive symptoms; 2, physical (objective) symptoms; 3, gastrointestinal symptoms; 4, dermatological symptoms; 5, anxiety-depressive symptoms; 6, respiratory symptoms; 7, hyperosmia and asthenia. Patients showed higher mean prevalence of factors 7 (89.9%), 6 (71.7%), and 1 (62.13%). In conclusion, MCS patients frequently manifest hyperosmia, asthenia, and dyspnoea, which are often concomitant with other respiratory and neurocognitive symptoms. Considering the clinical association that is often made with anxiety, more studies are necessary on the psychosomatic aspects of this syndrome. Further analytical epidemiological studies are needed to support the formulation of aetiological hypotheses of MCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Del Casale
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Unit of Psychiatry, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Stefano Ferracuti
- Department of Human Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Unit of Risk Management, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessio Mosca
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University, 66100 Chieti, Italy;
| | - Leda Marina Pomes
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.M.P.); (F.F.); (L.B.); (M.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.)
- Unit of Laboratory and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Fiaschè
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.M.P.); (F.F.); (L.B.); (M.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Luca Bonanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.M.P.); (F.F.); (L.B.); (M.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Marina Borro
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.M.P.); (F.F.); (L.B.); (M.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.)
- Unit of Laboratory and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Gentile
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.M.P.); (F.F.); (L.B.); (M.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.)
- Unit of Laboratory and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Martelletti
- Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy;
- Headache Centre Unit, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
| | - Maurizio Simmaco
- Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy; (L.M.P.); (F.F.); (L.B.); (M.B.); (G.G.); (M.S.)
- Unit of Laboratory and Advanced Molecular Diagnostics, ‘Sant’Andrea’ University Hospital, 00189 Rome, Italy
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Viziano A, Micarelli A, Pasquantonio G, Della-Morte D, Alessandrini M. Perspectives on multisensory perception disruption in idiopathic environmental intolerance: a systematic review. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2018; 91:923-935. [PMID: 30088144 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-018-1346-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Accepted: 07/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) also known as idiopathic environmental intolerance/illness (IEI) encompasses a cohort of subjective symptoms characterized by susceptibility to a wide spectrum of environmental compounds, causing symptoms involving various organs and a decrease in quality of life. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize evidence about MCS, with focus on indexed studies analyzing sensory pathway-related disorders. METHODS Medical databases were searched for English language articles related to the topic, published between 1965 and 2017 in academic, peer-reviewed journals. Particular focus was concentrated on articles depicting disturbances involving sensory organs. References of the relevant articles were examined to identify additional significant documents. RESULTS Fifty-eight studies were eligible for full text review. Of these, 34 studies met the selection criteria and were included in this analysis. Many variables, such as different diagnostic criteria, lack of homogeneous symptom questionnaires and the general incidence of personality traits in control subjects, biased studies as confounding factors. However, moderate evidences show that sensory pathways are somewhat altered, especially with respect to information processing in the limbic system and related cortical areas. Recent studies suggested the presence, in MCS cohorts, of attention bias, sensitization and limbic kindling, as well as recently revealed subclinical organic alterations along sensory pathways. CONCLUSIONS Evidences are consistent with MCS/IEI to be the result of a neural altered processing of sensorial ascending pathways, which combined with peculiar personality traits constitutes the underpinning of a multisensory condition needing multidisciplinary clinical approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Viziano
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome'Tor Vergata', Via Montpellier, 1; E sud Tower, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Micarelli
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome'Tor Vergata', Via Montpellier, 1; E sud Tower, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Pasquantonio
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome'Tor Vergata', Via Montpellier, 1; E sud Tower, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - David Della-Morte
- University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.,San Raffaele Roma Open University, Rome, Italy.,Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Marco Alessandrini
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome'Tor Vergata', Via Montpellier, 1; E sud Tower, 00133, Rome, Italy
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