TY - JOUR
T1 - Chemosensory function and psychological profile in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity
T2 - Comparison with odor-sensitive and asymptomatic controls
AU - Papo, David
AU - Eberlein-König, Bernadette
AU - Berresheim, Hans Walter
AU - Huss-Marp, Johannes
AU - Grimm, Volker
AU - Ring, Johannes
AU - Behrendt, Heidrun
AU - Winneke, Gerhard
PY - 2006/2
Y1 - 2006/2
N2 - Objective: We addressed the question if patients with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) differ from participants with self-reported odor sensitivity without MCS and asymptomatic controls in terms of chemosensory, cognitive, and clinical psychological endpoints. Methods: In a clinical study 23 MCS patients, 21 participants with self-reported odor sensitivity, and 23 controls were investigated using electrophysiological and psychophysical olfactometric tests [chemosensory-event-related potentials (CSERP), olfactory thresholds, odor identification, trigeminal sensitivity]. The participants filled in a mood list, a list of complaints (BL), a Symptom Check List, a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and an MCS questionnaire. Results: The olfactometric investigations revealed no significant differences between the groups. The MCS group reached significantly higher scores on negative mood states following odorant exposure, on health complaints, global indices, and the somatization subscale of the Symptom Check List, trait and state anxiety and symptoms, and triggering matters of the MCS questionnaire. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that neither olfactory functions, nor chemosensory or cognitive olfactory information processing are impaired in MCS patients. They rather support findings of altered psychological profile and moderate psychopathology.
AB - Objective: We addressed the question if patients with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) differ from participants with self-reported odor sensitivity without MCS and asymptomatic controls in terms of chemosensory, cognitive, and clinical psychological endpoints. Methods: In a clinical study 23 MCS patients, 21 participants with self-reported odor sensitivity, and 23 controls were investigated using electrophysiological and psychophysical olfactometric tests [chemosensory-event-related potentials (CSERP), olfactory thresholds, odor identification, trigeminal sensitivity]. The participants filled in a mood list, a list of complaints (BL), a Symptom Check List, a State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and an MCS questionnaire. Results: The olfactometric investigations revealed no significant differences between the groups. The MCS group reached significantly higher scores on negative mood states following odorant exposure, on health complaints, global indices, and the somatization subscale of the Symptom Check List, trait and state anxiety and symptoms, and triggering matters of the MCS questionnaire. Conclusions: Our findings reveal that neither olfactory functions, nor chemosensory or cognitive olfactory information processing are impaired in MCS patients. They rather support findings of altered psychological profile and moderate psychopathology.
KW - Chemosensory-event-related potentials (CSERP)
KW - Idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI)
KW - Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)
KW - Olfactometry
KW - P3
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=31344440042&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2005.06.075
DO - 10.1016/j.jpsychores.2005.06.075
M3 - Article
C2 - 16439274
AN - SCOPUS:31344440042
SN - 0022-3999
VL - 60
SP - 199
EP - 209
JO - Journal of psychosomatic research
JF - Journal of psychosomatic research
IS - 2
ER -