Psychogenic origins of multiple chemical sensitivities syndrome: a critical review of the research literature

Details

• Personal Author:
  Davidoff AL ; Fogarty L
• Description:
  The research literature on the psychogenic origins of multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) syndrome was critically reviewed. A literature search was conducted using two databases: PsychLit and Medline. All articles in which original data had been gathered on a human sample, explicit or implicit reference to the psychogenic origin of MCS was made, and which were published after 1980 were selected. Ten articles fulfilled the criteria, and were categorized according to psychiatric, psychologic, and medical measurement strategies. Five sample selection problems and seven measurement problems were identified. The methodological problems were used as guides in the evaluation of the articles. Results showed that the number of methodological problems ranged from three to 13. All but two studies had more than two sample selection problems. Nine of the ten studies used nonrepresentative sample sources. Four studies included patients with food sensitivity or diagnosed candidiasis without clarified hypersensitivity status. Seven studies used vague selection criteria for defining index subjects. Measurement problems were common. Six studies based conclusions largely or exclusively on measurement instruments that did not distinguish persisting psychopathologic traits from unexplained medical symptoms, or distress caused by them. The identical test used to support a psychogenic hypothesis could also have been used to support a biogenic hypothesis. Omissions of methodological information were common. Study design problems were prominent in nine of the articles. For example, responses to environmental chemical triggers, or adjustment to chronic, distressing, and isolating illness were not adequately explored. Nine studies required rigorous evidence about medical contributions, but not about psychological contributions to MCS syndrome. Five studies failed to comment on the implications of the failure to meet psychopathology criteria on the psychogenic hypothesis. The authors conclude that the studies considered to support a psychogenic origin for the MCS syndrome have serious methodological flaws, and discuss the possible origins of psychiatric features in this syndrome. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Behavior Diagnosis Epidemiology Hypersensitivity Immune System Occupational Exposure Occupational Health Safety Staff Development
• Keywords:
  Allergies Chemical Hypersensitivity Diagnostic Tests Immunologic Disorders NIOSH Grant NIOSH Publication Occupational Exposure Psychological Factors Toxic Effects Training
• ISSN:
  0003-9896
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; OSHA Region 3
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  316-325
• Volume:
  49
• Issue:
  5
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00222814
• Citation:
  Arch Environ Health 1994 Sep/Oct; 49(5):316-325
• Contact Point Address:
  Ann L. Davidoff, Ph.D., Cerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Johns Hopkins University Geriatrics Center, Terrace Beecham Center, 5505 Hopkins Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21224
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1994
• Performing Organization:
  Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19770930
• Source Full Name:
  Archives of Environmental Health
• End Date:
  19920630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:fc15122c4f25e7c4dc8d68111b4159aea39a09c994a333fd0d505bb298015a444bf35858a84e9184a162d54894335313a0dc407e257c71eb8eba77d0cccae21a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/205422/cdc_205422_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.09 MB ]