Characteristics of perceived electromagnetic hypersensitivity in the general population

2018 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 2096

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2018

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Characteristics of perceived electromagnetic hypersensitivity in the general population Gruber MJ, Palmquist E, Nordin S. Characteristics of perceived electromagnetic hypersensitivity in the general population. Scand J Psychol. 2018 May 9. doi: 10.1111/sjop.12449. Abstract Health problems evoked in the presence of electrical equipment is a concern, calling for better understanding for characteristics of electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) in the general population. The present study investigated demographics, lifestyle factors, frequency and duration, coping strategies, proportion meeting clinical criteria for intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (EMF) and comorbidity. Using data from a large-scale population-based questionnaire study, we investigated persons with self-reported (n = 91) EHS in comparison to referents (n = 3,250). Middle age, female sex and poor perceived health was found to be associated with EHS. More than 50% in the EHS group reported having EMF-related symptoms more often than once a week, and the mean number of years experiencing EHS was 10.5. More than half of the EHS group reported that their symptoms started after a high-dose or long-term EMF exposure, that they actively tried to avoid EMF sources and that they mostly could affect the EMF environment. A minority of the EHS group had sought medical attention, been diagnosed by a physician or received treatment. Exhaustion syndrome, anxiety disorder, back/joint/muscle disorder, depression, functional somatic syndrome and migraine were comorbid with EHS. The results provide ground for future study of these characteristic features being risk factors for development of EHS and or consequences of EHS. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typecross_sectional

Effect directionunclear

PopulationGeneral population (population-based questionnaire respondents); self-reported EHS cases vs referents

Sample size3341

ExposureMean 10.5 years experiencing EHS; >50% reported symptoms more often than once a week

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

In a population-based questionnaire, middle age, female sex, and poor perceived health were associated with self-reported EHS (n=91) compared with referents (n=3,250). Over half of the EHS group reported EMF-related symptoms more often than weekly and reported symptom onset after high-dose or long-term EMF exposure; avoidance of EMF sources was common, while medical consultation/diagnosis/treatment was reported by a minority. Several conditions (including exhaustion syndrome, anxiety disorder, depression, functional somatic syndrome, and migraine) were reported as comorbid with EHS.

Outcomes measured

Self-reported electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) characteristics (frequency, duration, coping/avoidance)
Demographics and lifestyle factors associated with self-reported EHS
Proportion meeting clinical criteria for intolerance attributed to EMF
Healthcare seeking/diagnosis/treatment related to EHS
Comorbidities (exhaustion syndrome, anxiety disorder, back/joint/muscle disorder, depression, functional somatic syndrome, migraine)

Limitations

Exposure characteristics (frequency, intensity, SAR) not specified; relies on self-reported EHS and self-reported exposure history
Cross-sectional questionnaire design limits causal inference

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "electrical equipment / EMF sources (self-reported)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "Mean 10.5 years experiencing EHS; >50% reported symptoms more often than once a week"
  },
  "population": "General population (population-based questionnaire respondents); self-reported EHS cases vs referents",
  "sample_size": 3341,
  "outcomes": [
    "Self-reported electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) characteristics (frequency, duration, coping/avoidance)",
    "Demographics and lifestyle factors associated with self-reported EHS",
    "Proportion meeting clinical criteria for intolerance attributed to EMF",
    "Healthcare seeking/diagnosis/treatment related to EHS",
    "Comorbidities (exhaustion syndrome, anxiety disorder, back/joint/muscle disorder, depression, functional somatic syndrome, migraine)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a population-based questionnaire, middle age, female sex, and poor perceived health were associated with self-reported EHS (n=91) compared with referents (n=3,250). Over half of the EHS group reported EMF-related symptoms more often than weekly and reported symptom onset after high-dose or long-term EMF exposure; avoidance of EMF sources was common, while medical consultation/diagnosis/treatment was reported by a minority. Several conditions (including exhaustion syndrome, anxiety disorder, depression, functional somatic syndrome, and migraine) were reported as comorbid with EHS.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Exposure characteristics (frequency, intensity, SAR) not specified; relies on self-reported EHS and self-reported exposure history",
    "Cross-sectional questionnaire design limits causal inference"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic hypersensitivity",
    "EHS",
    "self-reported symptoms",
    "questionnaire",
    "general population",
    "avoidance",
    "comorbidity",
    "intolerance attributed to EMF"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": [
    {
      "slug": "who-icnirp",
      "weight": 0.2,
      "reason": "Addresses EHS/intolerance attributed to EMF in the general population, relevant to broader EMF health guidance discussions."
    }
  ]
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1111/sjop.12449
PubMed: Not supplied

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