Overlap in prevalence between various types of environmental intolerance

Int J Hyg Environ Health · 2014 · Unclear · Low evidence

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UnclearLow evidencePaper 6715

Using questionnaire-based cross-sectional data, overlaps between the four environmental intolerances were greater than predicted by coincidence for both self-reported and diagnosed cases, except for the overlap between diagnosed intolerance to sounds and EMFs.

Study snapshot

PublicationInt J Hyg Environ Health · 2014

Study typecross_sectional

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

Environmental intolerance (EI) is characterized by attribution of several, multisystem symptoms to specific environmental exposures, such as exposure to odorous/pungent chemicals, certain buildings, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and everyday sounds. The symptoms are medically unexplained, non-specific and the symptoms overlap between different types of EI. To approach the issue of underlying mechanisms the matter of overlap in prevalence between intolerances can provide valuable information. The aim of the study was to examine if the overlap between intolerance to odorous/pungent chemicals, certain buildings, EMFs and sounds is larger than the expected overlap if no association would exist between them. The study was using cross-sectional data from the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study in Sweden; a large questionnaire-based survey. 8520 adults (18-79 years) were randomly selected after stratification for age and sex, of whom 3406 (40%) participated. Individuals with the four types of intolerance were identified either through self-report, or by having been physician-diagnosed with a specific EI. The overlaps between the four EIs were greater than predictions based on coincidence for both self-reported and diagnosed cases (except for the overlap between diagnosed intolerance to sounds and EMFs). The results raise the question whether different types of EI share similar underlying mechanisms, or at least that the sufferers of EI share some predisposition to acquire the conditions.

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

PopulationAdults (18–79 years) in Sweden (Västerbotten); randomly selected questionnaire sample

Sample size3406

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

Prevalence overlap between environmental intolerances (odorous/pungent chemicals, certain buildings, EMFs, everyday sounds)
Self-reported and physician-diagnosed environmental intolerance

Limitations

Cross-sectional design
Questionnaire-based survey
Participation rate 40% (3406/8520)

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "cross_sectional",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "environmental electromagnetic fields (EMFs)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Adults (18–79 years) in Sweden (Västerbotten); randomly selected questionnaire sample",
  "sample_size": 3406,
  "outcomes": [
    "Prevalence overlap between environmental intolerances (odorous/pungent chemicals, certain buildings, EMFs, everyday sounds)",
    "Self-reported and physician-diagnosed environmental intolerance"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Using questionnaire-based cross-sectional data, overlaps between the four environmental intolerances were greater than predicted by coincidence for both self-reported and diagnosed cases, except for the overlap between diagnosed intolerance to sounds and EMFs.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Cross-sectional design",
    "Questionnaire-based survey",
    "Participation rate 40% (3406/8520)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "environmental intolerance",
    "electromagnetic fields",
    "multiple chemical sensitivity",
    "building-related intolerance",
    "sound intolerance",
    "symptom attribution",
    "prevalence",
    "overlap",
    "questionnaire",
    "Sweden"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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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: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2013.08.005
PubMed: 24029726

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