Sine Skovbjerg1, Karl Bang Christensen2, Jeanette Frost Ebstrup3, Allan Linneberg4, Robert Zachariae5, Jesper Elberling6. 1. The Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark. Electronic address: sine.skovbjerg.jakobsen@regionh.dk. 2. Section of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. 3. The Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark. 4. The Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Capital Region, Copenhagen, Denmark; Department of Clinical Experimental Research, Copenhagen University Hospital Glostrup, Denmark; Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. 5. Unit for Psychooncology and Health Psychology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark. 6. The Allergy Clinic, Copenhagen University Hospital, Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Chemical intolerance (CI) is characterised by negative health effects attributed to a heightened responsiveness to common airborne chemicals. This longitudinal study explored the hypothesised role of negative affect in the development and persistence of CI in a general population. METHODS: A general population sample aged 19 to 72 years was examined in 2006-2008 and again in 2011-2012. Longitudinal data on CI were analysed with the purpose of examining baseline negative affect as a risk factor for having developed CI at 5-year follow-up and for reporting persistent CI. Participants were classified as reporting no signs of CI, having symptoms of CI and as being a likely CI case based on self-reported reactions to 11 common chemical exposures, symptoms related to chemical exposures and daily life adjustments attributed to reactions when exposed to chemicals. RESULTS: A total of 69.4% of the participants who had reported CI at baseline also reported CI at follow-up. In participants with no baseline CI, 15.5% reported CI at follow-up and 18.1% reported symptoms related to chemicals but no daily life adjustments. Baseline negative affect was positively and statistically significantly associated with both development and persistence of CI. CONCLUSIONS: Initial reports of CI were found to be persistent over time, and a considerable proportion of the participants with no CI at baseline reported having developed CI after 5 years. The positive association between negative affect and CI at the 5-year follow-up supports negative affect as a possible risk factor for CI.
OBJECTIVE: Chemical intolerance (CI) is characterised by negative health effects attributed to a heightened responsiveness to common airborne chemicals. This longitudinal study explored the hypothesised role of negative affect in the development and persistence of CI in a general population. METHODS: A general population sample aged 19 to 72 years was examined in 2006-2008 and again in 2011-2012. Longitudinal data on CI were analysed with the purpose of examining baseline negative affect as a risk factor for having developed CI at 5-year follow-up and for reporting persistent CI. Participants were classified as reporting no signs of CI, having symptoms of CI and as being a likely CI case based on self-reported reactions to 11 common chemical exposures, symptoms related to chemical exposures and daily life adjustments attributed to reactions when exposed to chemicals. RESULTS: A total of 69.4% of the participants who had reported CI at baseline also reported CI at follow-up. In participants with no baseline CI, 15.5% reported CI at follow-up and 18.1% reported symptoms related to chemicals but no daily life adjustments. Baseline negative affect was positively and statistically significantly associated with both development and persistence of CI. CONCLUSIONS: Initial reports of CI were found to be persistent over time, and a considerable proportion of the participants with no CI at baseline reported having developed CI after 5 years. The positive association between negative affect and CI at the 5-year follow-up supports negative affect as a possible risk factor for CI.
Authors: Marlene Pacharra; Stefan Kleinbeck; Michael Schäper; Meinolf Blaszkewicz; Christoph van Thriel Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2016-04-28 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Pia Nynäs; Sarkku Vilpas; Elina Kankare; Jussi Karjalainen; Lauri Lehtimäki; Jura Numminen; Antti Tikkakoski; Leenamaija Kleemola; Heini Huhtala; Jukka Uitti Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-23 Impact factor: 3.390