Sickness-related dysfunction in persons with self-reported multiple chemical sensitivity at four levels of severity

Journal of Clinical Nursing
Pamela Reed Gibson, Valerie M Vogel

Abstract

To examine quality of life outcome for persons who self-report chemical sensitivity, often referred to as multiple chemical sensitivity. Multiple chemical sensitivity is poorly understood with few providers specialising in its treatment. This lack of treatment and the ubiquity of chemicals engender severe life impacts such as job loss, financial loss, social isolation and even homelessness for persons who experience these sensitivities. Survey. We examined chemical incitants, symptoms and sickness-related behavioural dysfunction as measured by the Sickness Impact Profile in 254 persons self-identified with multiple chemical sensitivity. Chemicals rated as causing the most symptomatology in respondents were pesticide, formaldehyde, fresh paint, new carpet, diesel exhaust, perfume and air fresheners. The five highest rated symptoms in this sample were tiredness/lethargy, difficulty concentrating, muscle aches, memory difficulties and long-term fatigue. Overall mean Sickness Impact Profile score was 25.25%, showing serious impairment, with the most serious dysfunction in the categories of work (55.36%), alertness behaviour (53.45%) and recreation and pastimes (45.20%). Multiple chemical sensitivity is an important health care issu...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1976·Medical Care·M BergnerB S Gilson
Jan 1, 1976·International Journal of Health Services : Planning, Administration, Evaluation·M BergnerJ R Morris
Oct 1, 1992·Social Science & Medicine·A F de BruinJ P Diederiks
Mar 1, 1995·Archives of Environmental Health·C S Miller, H C Mitzel
Jul 1, 1994·Journal of General Internal Medicine·D BuchwaldK Schmaling
Nov 1, 1995·Social Science & Medicine·R SchweitzerJ Whiting
Nov 1, 1995·Archives of Environmental Health·M B Lax, P K Henneberger
Jul 1, 1996·Archives of Environmental Health·W J MeggsA L Davidoff
Dec 1, 1996·Digestive Diseases and Sciences·R L CarithersM Bayliss
Feb 1, 1997·Pediatric Pulmonology·W de JongG H Koëter
May 1, 1997·Journal of Clinical Epidemiology·A F de BruinH Philipsen
Mar 1, 1996·Injury Prevention : Journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention·D E Nelson
Jan 1, 1997·Scandinavian Journal of Rheumatology·A T SlotkoffD J Clauw
Apr 16, 1998·Research in Nursing & Health·P R GibsonM L Warren
Jul 10, 1999·American Journal of Epidemiology·R KreutzerN Lashuay
Aug 12, 1999·Archives of Environmental Health
Jan 9, 2001·Qualitative Health Research·J G Lipson
Feb 9, 2002·Environmental Health Perspectives·Hans Joachim Seidel
Aug 15, 2003·Health Care for Women International·Andrea Chircop, Barbara Keddy
Sep 2, 2003·Environmental Health Perspectives·Stanley M Caress, Anne C Steinemann
Mar 24, 2005·Psychosomatic Medicine·Mariko SaitoTomifusa Kuboki
Sep 27, 2005·Clinical Rehabilitation·Katrin BoströmGerd Ahlström
Feb 23, 2007·The American Journal of Nursing·Carolyn Cooper

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 3, 2009·Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine·Sine SkovbjergJesper Elberling
Oct 9, 2015·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health·Atsushi MizukoshiYukio Yanagisawa
May 21, 2011·Nursing & Health Sciences·Pamela Reed GibsonAbby P Vos
May 7, 2013·Clinical Therapeutics·Stephen J Genuis
May 24, 2016·Health Care for Women International·Pamela Reed GibsonJacqueline Billy
Sep 14, 2014·American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy·Mehmet AkdagIsmail Topcu
Feb 7, 2020·Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG·Katharina HarterClaudia Traidl-Hoffmann
Feb 7, 2020·Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft = Journal of the German Society of Dermatology : JDDG·Katharina HarterClaudia Traidl-Hoffmann

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.