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- Edvardsson, Berit, et al.
(författare)
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Medical and social prognoses of non-specific building-related symptoms (Sick Building Syndrome) : a follow-up study of patients previously referred to hospital
- 2008
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Ingår i: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health. - : Springer-Verlag New York. - 0340-0131 .- 1432-1246. ; 81:7, s. 805-812
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives The aim of this study was to describe and analysethe medical and social prognoses of patients with nonspeciWcbuilding-related symptoms.Methods A follow-up questionnaire focusing on current medical and social status, care, treatment, other actions taken and personality traits was sent to 239 patients with non-speciWc building-related symptoms assessed during theperiod between1986 and 1998 at University Hospital in Umeå, Sweden. The response rate was 79%.Results Fatigue, irritation of the eyes, and facial erythemawere the most common weekly symptoms reported atfollow-up. As females constituted 92% of the respondents,statistical analyses were restricted to women. The level andseverity of symptoms decreased over time, although nearlyhalf of the patients claimed that symptoms were more or lessunchanged after 7 years or more, despite actions taken.Twenty-Wve percent of the patients were on the sick-list, and20% drew disability pension due to persistent symptoms atfollow-up. The risk of having no work capabilities at followupwas signiWcantly increased if the time from onset to Wrstvisit at the hospital clinic was more than 1 year. This riskwas also signiWcantly higher if the patient at the Wrst visithad Wve or more symptoms. All risk assessments wereadjusted for length of follow-up. Symptoms were oftenaggravated by diVerent situations in everyday life.Conclusions Long-lasting symptoms aggravated by environmentalfactors exist within this group of patients. Theresults support that early and comprehensive measures forrehabilitation are essential for the patients.
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2. |
- Edvardsson, Berit, et al.
(författare)
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The medical and social prognosis of Sick Building Syndrome : a follow-up study focusing on female patients
- 2005
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Ingår i: Indoor air 2005. - Beijing : Tsinghua university press. ; , s. 3706-3710
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- A follow-up questionnaire focusing medical and social status, actions taken and personality traits was sent to 239 patients with Sick Building Syndrome (SBS) registered at the University Hospital in Umea, Sweden. The response rate was 79 percent. As females constituted 92 percent of the respondents all statistical analyses were restricted to women. Almost half of the respondents had been exposed to environments with visible water damages. Fatigue, irritated eyes and facial erythema were the most common symptoms. Nearly half of the patients claimed that the symptoms were more or less unchanged after 7 years or more. Twenty-five percent of the patients were on the sick-list and twenty percent drew disability pension due to SBS-symptoms at follow-up. Symptoms were often aggravated in different situations in everyday life. No important deviations concerning personality factors were found. The results support that early and comprehensive measures for rehabilitation are essential for these patients.
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