| 1. |
- Haanes, Jan Vilis, et al.
(author)
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"Symptoms associated with environmental factors" (SAEF) - Towards a paradigm shift regarding "idiopathic environmental intolerance" and related phenomena
- 2020
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In: Journal of Psychosomatic Research. - : Elsevier. - 0022-3999 .- 1879-1360. ; 131
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Health conditions characterized by symptoms associated with chemical, physical and biological environmental factors unrelated to objectifiable pathophysiological mechanisms are often labelled by the general term "idiopathic environmental intolerances". More specific, exposure-related terms are also used, e.g. "multiple chemical sensitivities", "electromagnetic hypersensitivity" and "candidiasis hypersensitivity". The prevalence of the conditions varies from a few up to more than 50%, depending on definitions and populations. Based on evolving knowledge within this field, we provide arguments for a paradigm shift from terms focusing on exposure and intolerance/(hyper-)sensitivity towards a term more in line with the perceptual elements that seem to underlie these phenomena. Symptoms caused by established pathophysiologic mechanisms should not be included, e.g. allergic or toxicological conditions, lactose intolerance or infections. We discuss different alternatives for a new term/concept and end up proposing an open and descriptive term, "symptoms associated with environmental factors" (SAEF), including a definition. "Symptoms associated with environmental factors" both is in line with the current knowledge and acknowledge the experiences of the afflicted persons. Thus, the proposed concept is likely to facilitate therapy and communication between health professionals and afflicted persons, and to provide a base for better understanding of such phenomena in healthcare, society and science.
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| 2. |
- Pitron, Victor, et al.
(author)
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Electrohypersensitivity is always real
- 2023
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In: Environmental Research. - : Elsevier. - 0013-9351 .- 1096-0953. ; 218
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Highlights:Electrohypersensitivty (EHS) represents a severely disabling condition.Symptom reports in EHS are unrelated to actual electromagnetic field exposure.A reductionist bio-electromagnetic approach fails to explain EHS.Empirical evidence suggests that nocebo effects strongly contribute to EHS.Spreading the myth about a (non-existing) EHS epidemic causes harm.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- van der Feltz-Cornelis, Christina M., et al.
(author)
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A European Research Agenda for Somatic Symptom Disorders, Bodily Distress Disorders, and Functional Disorders : Results of an Estimate-Talk-Estimate Delphi Expert Study
- 2018
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In: Frontiers in Psychiatry. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-0640. ; 9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Somatic Symptom Disorders (SSD), Bodily Distress Disorders (BDD) and functional disorders (FD) are associated with high medical and societal costs and pose a substantial challenge to the population and health policy of Europe. To meet this challenge, a specific research agenda is needed as one of the cornerstones of sustainable mental health research and health policy for SSD, BDD, and FD in Europe.Aim: To identify the main challenges and research priorities concerning SSD, BDD, and FD from a European perspective.Methods: Delphi study conducted from July 2016 until October 2017 in 3 rounds with 3 workshop meetings and 3 online surveys, involving 75 experts and 21 European countries. EURONET-SOMA and the European Association of Psychosomatic Medicine (EAPM) hosted the meetings.Results: Eight research priorities were identified: (1) Assessment of diagnostic profiles relevant to course and treatment outcome. (2) Development and evaluation of new, effective interventions. (3) Validation studies on questionnaires or semi-structured interviews that assess chronic medical conditions in this context. (4) Research into patients preferences for diagnosis and treatment. (5) Development of new methodologic designs to identify and explore mediators and moderators of clinical course and treatment outcomes (6). Translational research exploring how psychological and somatic symptoms develop from somatic conditions and biological and behavioral pathogenic factors. (7) Development of new, effective interventions to personalize treatment. (8) Implementation studies of treatment interventions in different settings, such as primary care, occupational care, general hospital and specialty mental health settings. The general public and policymakers will benefit from the development of new, effective, personalized interventions for SSD, BDD, and FD, that will be enhanced by translational research, as well as from the outcomes of research into patient involvement, GP-patient communication, consultation-liaison models and implementation.Conclusion: Funding for this research agenda, targeting these challenges in coordinated research networks such as EURONET-SOMA and EAPM, and systematically allocating resources by policymakers to this critical area in mental and physical well-being is urgently needed to improve efficacy and impact for diagnosis and treatment of SSD, BDD, and FD across Europe.
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| 5. |
- Nordin, Steven, 1960-, et al.
(author)
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Impact of comorbidity on symptomatology in various types of environmental intolerance in a general Swedish and Finnish adult population
- 2023
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In: Environmental Research. - : Elsevier. - 0013-9351 .- 1096-0953. ; 229
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Comorbidity with various health conditions is common in environmental intolerances (EIs), which restricts understanding for what symptoms that are associated with the intolerance per se. The present objectives were to study (i) prevalence of a broad range of specific symptoms in chemical, building-related, electromagnetic field- (EMF) related, and sound EI, irrespective of comorbidity, (ii) prevalence of symptoms in body systems in exclusive EIs, and (iii) increased risk of symptoms in body systems in exclusive EIs that cannot be referred to functional somatic syndromes, inflammatory diseases or mental disorders. Cross-sectional data (n = 4941) were used from two combined population-based surveys, the Västerbotten (Sweden) and Österbotten (Finland) Environmental Health Studies. Categorization of EI cases and controls were based on self-reports. Symptoms were assessed with the Environmental Hypersensitivity Symptom Inventory, and these were converted to 27 symptoms of the International Classification of Primary Care, 2nd edition, in eight chapters of body systems. The results showed, with few exceptions, that all assessed specific symptoms were significantly more prevalent in all four EIs than in referents. Although a large overlap between EIs, characteristic body system symptoms were eye and respiratory symptoms in chemical and building-related intolerance, skin symptoms in EMF-related intolerance, and general and unspecified, digestive, eye, cardiovascular, neurological, and psychological symptoms in sound intolerance. After controlling for various comorbidities, all studied body system symptoms were positively associated with chemical intolerance, fewer with sound intolerance, only one with building-related intolerance, and none with EMF-related EI. In conclusion, a broad range of symptoms are reported in all four EIs implying common mechanisms, but symptoms of certain body systems are more likely to be reported in a certain EI that cannot be explained by comorbidity.
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| 6. |
- Van den Bergh, Omer, et al.
(author)
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Idiopathic environmental intolerances
- 2023. - 4
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In: Encyclopedia of toxicology. - : Elsevier. - 9780128243152 - 9780323854344 ; , s. 449-462
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Idiopathic Environmental Intolerances (IEI) are a group of acquired health conditions characterized by multiple recurrent symptoms associated with environmental factors in the absence of any known causal pathophysiological mechanism. We discuss IEI in response to chemicals and to electromagnetic radiation. Although various potential explanations have been advanced, provocation studies and experimental studies with expectation induction suggest to consider these IEI as nocebo responses that result from strong causal perceptions in vulnerable persons. A recent account of symptom perception allows to understand how experiences of symptoms come about in the absence of pathophysiological mechanisms.
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