| 1. |
- Lind, Nina, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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Comorbidity and multimorbidity of asthma and allergy and intolerance to chemicals and certain buildings
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. - 1076-2752 .- 1536-5948. ; 59:1, s. 80-84
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: We tested the hypothesis of high comorbidity between asthma/allergy and chemical intolerance (CI) and between asthma/allergy and building intolerance (BI), and high multimorbidity between asthma/allergy, CI, and BI.Methods: Population-based questionnaire data were used from 530 participants with asthma/allergy (allergic asthma, nonallergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and/or atopic dermatitis), 414 with self-reported and 112 with physician-diagnosed CI, and 165 with self-reported and 47 with physician-diagnosed BI. Separate reference groups were formed for each of the five case groups.Results: Adjusted odds ratios varied from 4.6 to 13.1 for comorbidity, and from 6.6 to 46.4 for multimorbidity.Conclusion: The large comorbidity and multimorbidity between asthma/allergy, CI, and BI evokes the question as to whether there are similarities in underlying mechanisms between these conditions.
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| 2. |
- Lind, Nina, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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Coping and social support in asthma and allergy: the Vasterbotten Environmental Health Study
- 2015
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Ingår i: Journal of Asthma. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0277-0903 .- 1532-4303. ; 52:6, s. 622-629
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: Asthma and allergy are stressful conditions that require coping strategies and social support to reduce stress and enhance health-promoting behavior. However, research is limited regarding coping and social support in asthma and allergy. The aim was to better understand the use of different coping strategies and perceived social support in low and high severity (exacerbation frequency) of asthma and allergy. Methods: Population-based data were used to provide ratings of coping strategies (Study I) and social support (Study II) from 124 and 94 participants, respectively, with asthma and/or allergy, categorized as low or high in severity. Problem-and emotion-focused coping strategies were assessed as well as emotional, instrumental and informative social support from seven sources. Results: Study I showed that avoiding certain environments (problem-based coping) and trying to accept one's situation (emotion-based) were the most commonly used coping strategies. These behaviors did not differ due to severity. Study II showed that more emotional than instrumental and informative support was perceived. The highest rated support sources were the partner, family members and the healthcare system. More social support was reported in low asthma/allergy severity compared to high asthma/allergy severity. Conclusion: The most commonly used coping strategies in the population of persons with these four types of asthma and allergy are avoiding certain environments and trying to accept one's situation. More emotional support than instrumental and informative is perceived to be received, and most of the support is received from one's partner and other family members and least from authorities and patient associations/support groups.
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| 3. |
- Nordin, Steven, et al.
(författare)
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Normative data for the chemical sensitivity scale for sensory hyperreactivity : the Västerbotten environmental health study
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 86:7, s. 749-753
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: The chemical sensitivity scale for sensory hyperreactivity (CSS-SHR) is used to quantify affective reactions to and behavioral disruptions by odorous/pungent substances in the environment and has documented good metric properties. However, normative data have not been available. The main objective of the present study was therefore to establish normative data for reference by means of a large-scale population-based study.Materials and methods: From a random sample of 8,520 reachable inhabitants in the county of Västerbotten in Sweden, aged 18–79 years, stratified for age and gender, 3,406 individuals agreed to participate.Results: The results show fairly high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.78–0.83) of the CSS-SHR and that it generates scores with approximately normal distributions (skewness: 0.045–0.454; kurtosis: −0.314 to 0.230), irrespective of age group and gender. Mean scores, standard deviations, confidence intervals, and proportions of individuals who met the diagnostic cutoff score for the CSS-SHR were obtained for reference of normality.Conclusions: CSS-SHR can be recommended for quantification of affective reactions to and behavioral disruptions by odorous/pungent environmental substances, and with the advantage of comparing scores with normality.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Arvidsson, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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”Risk för undernäring”
- 2013
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Annan publikation (populärvet., debatt m.m.)
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| 7. |
- Arvidsson, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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”Risk för undernäring”
- 2013
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Claeson, Anna-Sara, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Physical and chemical trigger factors in environmental intolerance
- 2018
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Ingår i: International journal of hygiene and environmental health. - : Elsevier. - 1438-4639 .- 1618-131X. ; 221:3, s. 586-592
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Individuals with environmental intolerance (EI) react to exposure from different environmental sources at levels tolerated by most people and that are below established toxicological and hazardous thresholds. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of attributing symptoms to chemical and physical sources in the environment among individuals with different forms of self-reported EI and in referents.Methods: Cross-sectional data from a population-based study, the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study (n = 3406), were used and individuals with self-reported EI to chemicals, buildings, electromagnetic fields and sounds as well as a group with multiple EIs were identified. The Environmental-Symptom Attribution Scale was used to quantify degree to which health symptoms are attributed to 40 specific environmental exposures and sources, with subscales referring to the four types of EI.Results: All EI groups, except the group with building related intolerance (BRI), reported more symptoms from the expected sources compared to the referents. In addition, individuals with chemical and sound intolerance reported symptoms from building related trigger factors, and individuals with electromagnetic hypersensitivity reported symptoms from chemical trigger factors.Conclusions: The study suggests that individuals with BRI react to fewer and more specific trigger factors than do individuals with other EIs, and that it is important to ask about different sources since three of the EI groups attribute their symptoms to a wide variety of sources in addition to the sources to which their EI implicates.
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| 10. |
- Claeson, Anna-Sara, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Symptom-trigger factors other than allergens in asthma and allergy
- 2016
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Health Research. - : Taylor & Francis Group. - 0960-3123 .- 1369-1619. ; 26:4, s. 448-457
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several environmental exposures of particular relevance for indoor air quality, such as exposure to odorants, may be associated with asthma and allergy. The aim of this study was to investigate attribution of symptoms and behavioral disruptions to various chemical and physical environmental sources in persons with self-reported asthma and allergy. Data from a population-based study, the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study, were used to compare persons with asthma, allergic rhinitis, allergic dermatitis, multiple diagnoses of asthma/allergy and no asthma or allergy. Persons with asthma and multiple diagnoses reported odorous/pungent and buildingrelated environmental factors to trigger symptoms to a larger extent than did the reference group, mainly due to perfume and odors from flowers. They also reported behavioral disruptions and affective reactions to odorous/ pungent environments. These findings increase the understanding of the role of odorants in symptom development and thereby the prevention of health problems in asthma and allergy in indoor air.
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| 11. |
- Gruber, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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Characteristics of perceived electromagnetic hypersensitivity in the general population
- 2018
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0036-5564 .- 1467-9450. ; 59:4, s. 422-427
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)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.
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| 12. |
- Karvala, Kirsi, et al.
(författare)
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Building-Related Environmental Intolerance and Associated Health in the General Population
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-7827 .- 1660-4601. ; 15:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- People frequently attribute adverse symptoms to particular buildings when exposure to pollutants is low, within nonhazardous levels. Our aim was to characterize building-related intolerance (BRI) in the general population. Data were derived from two population-based questionnaire surveys, the Vasterbotten and osterbotten Environmental Health Study. We identified cases of BRI if respondents reported symptoms emerging from residing in certain buildings, when most other people had none. The questionnaires covered lifestyle factors, perceived general health, BRI duration and symptom frequency, the emotional and behavioral impact of BRI, coping strategies, and physician-diagnosed diseases. From the total of 4941 participants, we formed two case groups, 275 (5.6%) fulfilled criteria for self-reported BRI, and 123 (2.5%) for BRI with wide-ranging symptoms. Individuals in both case groups were significantly more often female, single, and perceived their general health as poorer than the referents, i.e., those reporting no BRI symptoms. The mean duration of BRI was 12 years. In both case groups, avoidance behavior was found in over 60%, and nearly half of the sample had sought medical care. BRI with wide-ranging symptoms was associated with elevated odds for all studied comorbidities (somatic and psychiatric diseases and functional somatic syndromes). The perceived health of individuals with BRI is poorer and comorbidities are more frequent than among referents. BRI seems to be similar to other environmental intolerances and shares features with functional somatic syndromes.
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| 13. |
- Karvala, Kirsi, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of various environmental intolerances in a Swedish and Finnish general population
- 2018
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Ingår i: Environmental Research. - : Academic Press Inc Elsevier Science. - 0013-9351 .- 1096-0953. ; 161, s. 220-228
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To determine the prevalence of various environmental intolerances (EIs), using several criteria in a Swedish and a Finnish general population. Ill-health attributed to low-level environmental exposures is a commonly encountered challenge in occupational and environmental medicine. Methods: In population-based questionnaire surveys, the Vasterbotten Environmental Health Study (Sweden) and the Osterbotten Environmental Health Study (Finland), EI was inquired by one-item questions on symptom attribution to chemicals, certain buildings, or electromagnetic fields (EMFs), and difficulties tolerating sounds. The respondents were asked whether they react with central nervous system (CNS) symptoms or have a physician-diagnosed EI attributed to the corresponding exposures. Prevalence rates were determined for different age and sex groups and the Swedish and Finnish samples in general. Results: In the Swedish sample (n = 3406), 12.2% had self-reported intolerance to chemicals, 4.8% to certain buildings, 2.7% to EMFs, and 9.2% to sounds. The prevalence rates for the Finnish sample (n = 1535) were 15.2%, 7.2%, 1.6%, and 5.4%, respectively, differing statistically significantly from the Swedish. EI to chemicals and certain buildings was more prevalent in Finland, while EI to EMFs and sounds more prevalent in Sweden. The prevalence rates for EI with CNS-symptoms were lower and physician-diagnosed EIs considerably lower than self-reported EIs. Women reported EI more often than men and the young (18-39 years) to a lesser degree than middle-aged and elderly. Conclusions: The findings reflect the heterogeneous nature of EI. The differences in EI prevalence between the countries might reflect disparities concerning which exposures people perceive harmful and focus their attention to.
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| 14. |
- Kjellkvist, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Psychological symptoms and health-related quality of life in idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Psychosomatic Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-3999 .- 1879-1360. ; 84, s. 8-12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Need for better understanding of the etiology of idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) motivated the present study of psychological symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in person who attribute health problems to electromagnetic fields. Methods: Participants with IEI-EMF (n = 114) and a population-based sample of referents (n = 104) were investigated with six subscales of the Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) to assess psychological symptoms, and with eight subscales of the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36) to assess HRQoL. Results: Significantly higher scores were found on obsessive/compulsive behavior, interpersonal hypersensitivity, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid thoughts in the IEI-EMF group compared to referents, whereas only a tendency of such a difference was found for psychotism. Furthermore, poorer HRQoL in the IEI-EMF group, compared to referents, were found regarding physical and social functioning, physical and emotional role limitations, general health, vitality, bodily pain, and mental health. Significant correlation with moderate to strong effect sizes were found between several of the SCL-90 and SF-36 subscales. Conclusion: The results suggest that IEI-EMF is associated with various types of psychological symptoms and with poor HRQoL. Clinical implications include theoretical support for cognitive behavioral therapy, and, although further research is needed, that attention should be directed towards feelings of inferiority and uneasiness in relationships as well as anger, hostility and resentment towards other people.
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| 15. |
- Laukka, Erika J, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Olfactory impairment and domain‐specific cognitive decline : A 12‐year population‐based study
- 2023
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Ingår i: Alzheimer's & Dementia. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279. ; 19:S18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Olfactory impairment has been associated with both cognitive impairment and dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the association between olfactory dysfunction (OD) and change trajectories in different cognitive domains in aging. Method: Participants (n = 2473, mean age = 72 years, 61% female) from the population-based Swedish National study on Aging and Care-Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) were repeatedly assessed with tasks measuring episodic memory, semantic memory, verbal fluency, and perceptual speed across 12 years. OD was measured at baseline and participants were categorized as normosmic, hyposmic, or anosmic based on the Sniffin’ Sticks odor identification task. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the associations between baseline OD and rates of cognitive decline. Result: OD was related to poorer baseline performance and faster rates of decline during follow-up in all examined domains, as well as in global cognition. Associations were generally more pronounced for anosmia compared to hyposmia. Conclusion: Olfactory impairment is associated with accelerated decline in aging across a wide range of cognitive domains.
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| 16. |
- Lind, Nina, et al.
(författare)
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Psychological distress in asthma and allergy : the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study
- 2014
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Ingår i: Psychology, Health & Medicine. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1354-8506 .- 1465-3966. ; 19:3, s. 316-323
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- With the aim to better understand the association between asthma/allergy and psychological distress, it was hypothesized that levels of stress, exhaustion, anxiety, depression, and health worries for environmental pollution would be higher in allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis than in non-allergic asthma and in referents without asthma or allergy. Taking part in the population-based Vasterbotten Environmental Health Study (aged 18-79years), 76 respondents reported a physician-based diagnosis of allergic asthma, 86 reported non-allergic asthma, 190 reported allergic rhinitis, and 46 reported atopic dermatitis as the only form of asthma/allergy. A group of 2876 respondents without an asthma/allergy diagnosis constituted as referents. The participants responded to the Perceived Stress Scale, the Shirom-Melamed Burnout Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and the Environmental Pollution subscale of the Modern Health Worries Scale. Levels of stress, exhaustion, and anxiety were higher in allergic asthma and atopic dermatitis than in non-allergic asthma, allergic rhinitis, and among referents, and there was a strong tendency of such group differences for depression and health worries. The results imply that stress reduction and treatment of negative affect may in certain cases be fruitful interventions in patients with atopy.
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| 17. |
- Norberg, Erika, et al.
(författare)
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”Mat efter behov”
- 2012
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Annan publikation (populärvet., debatt m.m.)
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| 18. |
- Norberg, Erika, et al.
(författare)
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”Mat efter behov”
- 2012
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 19. |
- Norberg, Erika, et al.
(författare)
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"Matiga smörgåsar"
- 2012
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Annan publikation (populärvet., debatt m.m.)
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| 20. |
- Norberg, Erika, et al.
(författare)
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"Matiga smörgåsar"
- 2012
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
- Nordin, Steven, et al.
(författare)
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Metric properties and normative data for brief noise and electromagnetic field sensitivity scales
- 2013
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 41:3, s. 293-301
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: Lack of brief questionnaire instruments for quantifying affective reactions to and behavioral disruptions attributed to sounds and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) motivated the present development and metric evaluation of such instruments, called the 11-item Noise Sensitivity Scale (NSS-11) and the 11-item Electromagnetic Field Sensitivity Scale (EMFSS-11). Another objective was to establish normative data for these instruments. Method: Data from 3406 individuals who took part in the Vasterbotten Environmental Health Study was used. The participants constitute a random sample of inhabitants in the county of Vasterbotten in Sweden, aged 18 to 79 years, stratified for age and gender. The participants responded to the NSS-11 and EMFSS-11 and to additional questions for evaluation of concurrent validity. Results: The results show satisfying reliability (Cronbach alpha = 0.71-0.85, varying with age group and gender), concurrent validity, and unidimensionality of the NSS-11 and EMFSS-11, and that the scales generate scores with approximately normal distributions, irrespective of age group and gender. Mean scores, standard deviations, and confidence intervals constitute normative data. Conclusions: The favorable metric properties of the NSS-11 and EMFSS-11 in combination with their fast usage suggest that they are particularly useful for assessment in epidemiological studies, and have the advantage of available normative data.
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| 23. |
- Nordin, Steven, et al.
(författare)
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Miljökänslighet – den osynliga folksjukdomen : ett detektivarbete kring orsakerna till miljörelaterad överkänslighet
- 2012
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Ingår i: Byggnadsrelaterad ohälsa i Kvarkenregionen. - Vasa : Yrkeshögskolan Novia. - 9789525839364 ; , s. 30-43
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- När man besöker en annan persons hem känner man den vaga lukten av möbler, textilier, matlagning och olika ämnen som många av oss använder – parfymer, rengöringsmedel eller hårprodukter. Efter en stunds vistelse i bostaden registrerar de fl esta människor inte längre lukterna. Men för vissa personer går det precis tvärtom; lukterna försvinner inte utan blir i stället skarpare. De blir allt mer distinkta, till och med påträngande. Någon kanske försöker föra en konversation, men obehaget gör att man inte kan koncentrera sig vad den andra har att säga. I värsta fall drabbas man av huvudvärk, yrsel och andra symptom som gör tillvaron närmast outhärdlig. För en överkänslig person kan vardagen vara fylld av sådana här situationer. Men hur kommer det sig att endast vissa personer drabbas av miljökänslighet?
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Nordin, Steven, et al.
(författare)
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Psychometric evaluation and normative data for a Swedish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire 15-Item Somatic Symptom Severity Scale
- 2013
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. - : Wiley. - 0036-5564 .- 1467-9450. ; 54:2, s. 112-117
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The lack of an available Swedish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire 15-Item Somatic Symptom Severity Scale (PHQ-15) motivated the present psychometric evaluation of such a version as well as providing normative data for the PHQ-15. Data from 3,406 individuals who took part in the Vasterbotten Environmental Health Study in Sweden were used. The respondents constitute a random sample, aged 18 to 79years, stratified for age and sex. They responded to a Swedish translation of the PHQ-15 as well as the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, and the Shirom Melamed Burnout Questionnaire for assessment of convergent validity. The distribution of PHQ-15 scores was positively skewed and mesokurtic in shape, and the internal consistency of the PHQ-15 was satisfactory. Correlation coefficients between PHQ-15 score and the measures of anxiety, depression, stress and mental/physical exhaustion indicate satisfactory validity. Normative data for PHQ-15 scores as well as for categories of somatic symptom severity are provided. The favorable psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the PHQ-15 suggest use of this instrument for quantification of somatization in Swedish and similar populations, and has the advantage of available normative data.
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| 26. |
- Nordin, Steven, et al.
(författare)
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The environmental hypersensitivity symptom inventory : metric properties and normative data from a population-based study
- 2013
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Ingår i: Archives of Public Health. - : BioMed Central Ltd.. - 0778-7367 .- 2049-3258. ; 71:18, s. 1-10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: High concomitant intolerance attributed to odorous/pungent chemicals, certain buildings, electromagnetic fields (EMF), and everyday sounds calls for a questionnaire instrument that can assess symptom prevalence in various environmental intolerances. The Environmental Hypersensitivity Symptom Inventory (EHSI) was therefore developed and metrically evaluated, and normative data were established. The EHSI consists of 34 symptom items, requires limited time to respond to, and provides a detailed and broad description of the individual's symptomology.METHODS: Data from 3406 individuals who took part in the Vasterbotten Environmental Health Study were used. The participants constitute a random sample of inhabitants in the county of Vasterbotten in Sweden, aged 18 to 79 years, stratified for age and gender.RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis identified five significant factors: airway symptoms (9 items; Kuder-Richardson Formula 20 coefficient, KR-20, of internal consistency = 0.74), skin and eye symptoms (6 items; KR-20 = 0.60), cardiac, dizziness and nausea symptoms (4 items; KR-20 = 0.55), head-related and gastrointestinal symptoms (5 items; KR-20 = 0.55), and cognitive and affective symptoms (10 items; KR-20 = 0.80). The KR-20 was 0.85 for the entire 34-item EHSI. Symptom prevalence rates in percentage for having the specific symptoms every week over the preceding three months constitute normative data.CONCLUSIONS: The EHSI can be recommended for assessment of symptom prevalence in various types of environmental hypersensitivity, and with the advantage of comparing prevalence rates with normality.
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| 27. |
- Nordin, Steven, et al.
(författare)
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The environmental symptom-attribution scale : metric properties and normative data
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Psychology. - : Elsevier. - 0272-4944 .- 1522-9610. ; 36, s. 9-17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective was to develop, metrically evaluate and establish normative data for the Environmental Symptom-Attribution Scale (ESAS), which is a questionnaire-based instrument for quantifying degree to which health symptoms are attributed to specific environmental exposures and sources. Data were used from 3406 individuals who took part in the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study in Sweden. The responders constitute a random sample, aged 18–79 years. They responded to the ESAS and to questions about physician-based diagnoses for evaluation of concurrent validity of the ESAS. Four dimensions of the ESAS were identified, constituting subscales: the Odorous/Pungent, Building-Related, Sound, and Electromagnetic Field Subscales. A Global Scale is available as well. In general, the distributions of the scores on the scales were positively skewed and leptokurtic in shape. The results demonstrate good reliability and concurrent validity of all five ESAS scales. Percentiles were obtained as normative data. Examples of use of the ESAS applied on individuals are provided. The favorable metric properties of the ESAS and its rapid administration suggest that it is useful for assessment in clinical and epidemiological settings.
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| 28. |
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
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| 34. |
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| 35. |
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| 36. |
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| 37. |
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| 38. |
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| 39. |
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| 40. |
- Palmquist, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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A Prospective Study on Risk Factors for Olfactory Dysfunction in Aging
- 2020
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Ingår i: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1079-5006 .- 1758-535X. ; 75:3, s. 603-610
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Olfactory dysfunction (OD) refers to a reduced or absent ability to smell. OD negatively impacts health and quality of life and its prevalence increases with advancing age. Since OD may be an early marker of dementia and impending death, more knowledge regarding risk factors of OD in aging is warranted. The objective was therefore to explore longitudinally which demographic, genetic, clinical, lifestyle, and cognitive factors predict the development of OD.Methods: The study included participants aged 60–90 years from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K), who did not have OD at baseline and were reassessed with an odor identification task at a 6-year follow-up (n = 1,004). Risk factors of OD were assessed with multivariable logistic regression analyses.Results: The percentage of incident OD cases was 14.2% over 6 years in the total sample and this number increased monotonically with age. Increasing age, carrying the ε4 allele of the APOE gene, atrial fibrillation, cerebrovascular disease, and current smoking were found to be risk factors for the development of OD, whereas better olfactory identification and verbal episodic memory proficiency at baseline were identified as protective factors.Conclusions: In addition to nonmodifiable factors (age and genetic risk), several modifiable risk factors of OD were identified. This suggests that it might be possible to reduce OD incidence through the management of vascular risk factors and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle.
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| 41. |
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| 42. |
- Palmquist, Eva, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Coping and social support in environmental intolerance
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Purpose: Environmental intolerance (EI) is a broad term encompassing several conditions characterized by unspecific symptom patterns attributed to certain environmental exposure, such as odorous/pungent chemicals, electromagnetic fields (EMFs) and sounds. Limited documentation of the role of coping strategies and social support in these EIs motivated the present study of (i) combinations of coping strategies and social support in high and low intolerance severity at baseline, and (ii) combinations of coping strategies and social support at baseline that are associated with recovery from EI at follow-up, three years later.Methods: The study used cross-sectional and longitudinal data from the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study in Sweden, which is a large questionnaire-based survey. Individuals with EI attributed to chemicals, EMFs or sounds were identified through self-report (n=301 at baseline, n=213 at follow-up). The extent of use of four problem- and four emotion-focused strategies were assessed as well as perceived emotional, instrumental and informative support from seven sources.Results: The low and high intolerance severity groups differed as a function of relatively high problem-focused coping and instrumental support compared to lower reported levels of informational support, emotion-focused coping and emotional support. The groups not recovering and recovering from EI differed as a function of relatively high instrumental support and problem-focused coping compared to lower reported levels of informational support, emotional support and emotion-focused coping.Conclusions: The combination of coping strategies and perceived social support seem to be important in recovering from EI, for which emotion-focused coping, emotional and informational support seem to enhance recovery.
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| 43. |
- Palmquist, Eva, 1977-
(författare)
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Environmental intolerance : psychological risk and health factors
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Environmental intolerance (EI) is an embracing term for a number of conditions characterized by a wide range of non-specific symptoms attributed to certain environmental exposures (e.g. pungent/odorous chemicals, residing in a certain building, electromagnetic fields and everyday sounds). EI often leads to lifestyle alterations (e.g. not taking part of activities formerly engaged in) and functional impairment (e.g. not being able to work, social deprivation). The etiology of the conditions is largely unknown, though there is growing empirical evidence for associations between mental ill-health and EI. However, mainly cross-sectional studies have been conducted which cannot demonstrate temporality. Further on, the prognosis for EI is not well-known.This thesis includes four studies based on cross-sectional (Study 1) and longitudinal (Study 2-4) data from the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study (VEHS). The VEHS contains data from three data collections performed on the same set of respondents in 2010 (T1; n=3406), 2013 (T2; n=2336) and 2016 (T3; n=1837). In Study 1 the co-prevalence between EI attributed to chemicals, certain buildings, EMFs and sounds was investigated. The co-prevalence between all types of self-reported EI was greater than predictions based on coincidence, indicating that the different types of EI are associated, possibly sharing the same pathogenesis or that the afflicted individuals share some common predisposition to acquire the conditions. In Study 2 coping strategies and social support in EI were investigated and particularly whether certain combinations of different types of coping and social support may be important in recovering from EI. The participants who recovered from EI showed different combinations of coping strategies and social support than those who did not recover. In Study 3 the temporality between EI (attributed to chemicals, buildings and sounds) and psychological factors was investigated. The results showed that stress, anxiety, depression and burnout are risk factors for EI attributed to chemicals and sounds, but not for EI attributed to buildings. Changing perspective, EI attributed to buildings was a significant predictor of burnout, whereas EI attributed to sounds and chemicals were not. In Study 4 the prognosis of EI during a six-year period was studied. The probability of recovering from a state of specific EI was 44.3%, the probability of a specific EI to spread to other types of EI was 12.8%, and the probability of relapse was 3.9%. The participants who recovered showed lower levels of emotional and behavioral disruption than those who did not recover. The participants who showed spreading from one to several EIs perceived more stress than those who remained in a state of a specific EI, but had lower levels of burnout.Based on the findings of the studies in the thesis it is suggested that psychotherapy focusing on reducing the emotional and behavioral reactions of exposure might be helpful. Even though the causation of EI is unknown, negative expectations about exposure might accumulate symptoms, setting a vicious circle into motion. The task of the psychologist might be to break this circle.
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| 44. |
- Palmquist, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Environmental intolerance and mental ill-health : which comes first?
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Purpose: Environmental intolerance (EI) is a broad term encompassing several conditions characterized by unspecific symptom patterns attributed to certain environmental exposure. EI has previously been associated with mental ill-health, but prospective studies (enabling the direction of causality) within the field are sparse. This motivated the present study of testing whether (i) burnout, anxiety, depression and perceived stress are predictors of EI attributed to chemicals, certain buildings or sounds, and (ii) EI attributed to chemicals, certain buildings or sounds are predictors of burnout, anxiety or depression.Methods: The study used longitudinal data from the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study in Sweden, which is a large questionnaire-based survey. Individuals with EI attributed to chemicals, certain buildings or sounds were identified through self-report. Logistic regression was used to test whether burnout (Shirom Melamed Burnout Questionnaire), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), and perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10) were predictors of EI, and, vice versa, whether EI attributed to chemicals, certain buildings or sounds were predictors of burnout, anxiety and depression. Results: Burnout, anxiety, depression and perceived stress predicted EI attributed to chemicals and sounds, but not EI attributed to certain buildings (after controlling for age, sex, other EIs and asthma). EI attributed to chemicals, certain buildings or sounds were not predictors of burnout, anxiety or depression, except for EI attributed to certain buildings which was a significant predictor of burnout.Conclusion: The results provide important information about the cause-effect relations between EIs and mental ill-health, of value for both treatment and preventive healthcare for EI.
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| 45. |
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| 46. |
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| 47. |
- Palmquist, Eva, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Odor perception and symptoms during acrolein exposure in individuals with and without building-related symptoms
- 2022
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Building-related symptoms (BRS) is a significant work-related and public health problem, characterized by non-specific symptoms occurring in a particular building. The cause of BRS is unknown, but certain reactive compounds are suggested risk factors. The aim of this controlled exposure study was to investigate whether BRS cases report more odor annoyance and symptoms and show altered autonomous nervous system (ANS) response during exposure to the reactive aldehyde, acrolein in comparison with referents. Individuals with BRS (n = 18) and referents (n = 14) took part in two exposure sessions (80 min). One session contained heptane alone, and the other heptane and acrolein. Perceived odor annoyance; eye, nose, and throat symptoms; and ANS response were measured continuously. BRS cases did not experience more odor annoyance; eye, nose, and throat symptoms; or altered ANS response in comparison with referents during the exposures. Supplementary analyses revealed that BRS cases that also reported chemical intolerance perceived more symptoms than referents during acrolein exposure. Acrolein exposure at a concentration below previously reported sensory irritation detection thresholds is perceived as more irritating by a subgroup of BRS individuals compared with referents. The results of this study indicate that a subset of individuals with building related symptoms (BRS) has a lowered sensory irritation threshold towards acrolein exposure. Future guidelines on chemical exposures to acrolein should take time and individual sensitivity into account.
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| 48. |
- Palmquist, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Overlap in prevalence between various types of environmental intolerance
- 2014
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Ingår i: International journal of hygiene and environmental health. - : Elsevier. - 1438-4639 .- 1618-131X. ; 217:4-5, s. 427-434
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)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.
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| 49. |
- Palmquist, Eva, et al.
(författare)
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Psychometric Properties and Normative Data for a Swedish Version of the Modern Health Worries Scale
- 2017
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Ingår i: International Journal of Behavioral Medicine. - : SPRINGER. - 1070-5503 .- 1532-7558. ; 24:1, s. 54-65
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The modern health worries (MHW) scale was developed to assess individuals' worries about aspects of modernity and technology affecting personal health. The aim of this study was to psychometrically evaluate a Swedish version of the MHW scale and to provide Swedish normative data. Data were collected as part of the Vasterbotten Environmental Health Study, which has a random sample of 3406 Swedish adults (18-79 years). The Swedish version of the MHW scale showed excellent internal consistency and satisfactory convergent validity. A four-factor structure consistent with the original version was confirmed. The model showed invariance across age and sex. A slightly positively skewed and platykurtic distribution was found. Normative data for the general population and for combinations of specific age groups (young, middle aged, and elderly) and sex are presented. The psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the MHW scale suggest that use of this instrument is appropriate for assessing worries about modernity in Swedish-speaking and similar populations. The scale now has the advantage of good normative data being available. MHW may hold importance for understanding and predicting the development of functional disorders, such as idiopathic environmental intolerance and other medically unexplained conditions.
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| 50. |
- Palmquist, Eva, 1977-, et al.
(författare)
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Who recovers from environmental intolerance?
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Purpose: Environmental intolerance (EI) is a condition characterized by the attribution of symptoms to, and experience of negative hedonics of certain aspects in the environment (such as odorous/pungent chemicals, everyday sounds, and electromagnetic fields – EMFs). To date few studies have reported the prognosis of EI (i.e. recovery or generalization of a certain EI to an additional EI, thus general EI). Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to assess the chances of recovery from a specific EI as well as the chances of a specific EI to spread into general EI during a six-year period. The study also aimed to investigate whether levels of stress, burnout, anxiety, depression and emotional/behavioral disturbance of environmental sources could predict recovery from a specific EI.Methods: Longitudinal data were used (three data-collection waves - T1: 2010, T2: 2013, T3: 2016) from the Västerbotten Environmental Health Study in Sweden. At T1, 539 participants reported a specific EI, constituting the sample. Two different probability calculations were used to estimate the chances of recovering from a specific EI or to develop general EI. The first calculation considered only those individuals who responded to the questionnaire at all three data-collection waves. The second calculation was based on the Chapman-Kolmogorov equation to calculate the 2-step transition probabilities, including all participants from T1. Multinomial logistic regression was used to test whether burnout (Shirom Melamed Burnout Questionnaire), anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10) and emotional and behavioral disturbance by environmental sources (Chemical Sensitivity Scale for Sensory Hyperreactivity, Electromagnetic Field Sensitivity Scale-11, and Noise Sensitivity Scale-11) were predictors of recovering from EI or spreading into general EI.Results: The probability of recovering from EI was 44.3% according to the probability calculation based on the participants that remained in the study at T3. The probability of specific EI spreading into general EI was 12.8%. Based on the Chapman-Kolmogorov equation, 34.6% recovered and 10.0% reported general EI. The only significant predictor of recovery found in this study was CSS-SHR, in which one step increase of the scale reduced the odds of recovering by 0.94 times.Conclusion: The results indicate that the prognosis for EI is fairly good and that low emotional and behavioral disruption by environmental exposure increases the odds of recovering.
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