Odor and Noise Intolerance in Persons with Self-Reported Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Participants
Symptom | Mobile/Wireless Phone | Computer Monitors | Other Electronic Equipment |
---|---|---|---|
Dizziness | 41 (36.3) | 25 (22.1) | 40 (35.4) |
General discomfort | 67 (59.3) | 45 (39.8) | 56 (49.6) |
Concentration difficulties | 45 (39.8) | 41 (36.3) | 37 (32.7) |
Memory loss | 32 (28.3) | 24 (21.2) | 28 (24.8) |
Fatigue | 40 (35.4) | 43 (38.1) | 39 (34.5) |
Headache | 52 (46.0) | 38 (33.6) | 36 (31.9) |
Warmth behind/around the ear | 77 (68.1) | 8 (7.1) | 13 (11.5) |
Warmth on the ear | 76 (67.3) | 10 (8.8) | 10 (8.8) |
Burning skin | 49 (43.4) | 50 (44.2) | 42 (37.2) |
Tingling/tightness | 39 (34.5) | 43 (38.1) | 36 (31.9) |
Sleeping problems | 29 (25.7) | 28 (24.8) | 37 (32.7) |
Tinnitus | 28 (24.8) | 18 (15.9) | 25 (22.1) |
Numbness | 29 (25.7) | 29 (25.7) | 27 (23.9) |
Characteristic | EHS (n = 113) | Controls (n = 48) | t-/chi2-Value | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|---|
Age, mean (SD) | 49.2 (12.5) | 51.7 (11.8) | 1.16 | 0.246 |
Female sex, n (%) | 83 (73.5) | 35 (72.9) | 0.01 | 0.944 |
Employment status, n (%) | 43 (38.1) | 32 (66.7) | 17.96 | <0.001 |
Full or part time employment | ||||
Full or part time sick leave | 25 (22.1) | 3 (6.2) | ||
Disability pension | 30 (26.5) | 3 (6.2) | ||
Unemployed or retired | 15 (13.3) | 7 (14.6) | ||
Not responding | 0 (0) | 3 (6.2) | ||
Work capability, n (%) | 8.20 | 0.017 | ||
Good | 51 (58.6) | 33 (84.6) | ||
Moderate | 17 (19.5) | 3 (7.7) | ||
Moderate | 19 (21.8) | 3 (7.7) |
2.2. Questionnaire Instruments
2.3. Procedure
2.4. Statistical Analysis
3. Results
Sensitivity Scale | EHS (n = 113) | Controls (n = 48) | t-Value | p-Value |
---|---|---|---|---|
CSS | ||||
Symptom | ||||
Sensory/somatic | 32.8 (10.0) | 29.5 (8.5) | 2.07 | 0.041 |
Neurasthenic | 12.5 (5.4) | 10.7 (4.1) | 2.31 | 0.023 |
Reactivity | ||||
Affective | 39.0 (11.3) | 35.4 (9.6) | 2.07 | 0.041 |
Behavioral | 21.5 (8.5) | 18.4 (7.3) | 2.30 | 0.023 |
Global | 63.9 (20.3) | 56.7 (16.7) | 2.34 | 0.021 |
NSS | ||||
Symptom | ||||
Sensory/somatic | 34.2 (10.0) | 27.5 (8.9) | 4.26 | <0.001 |
Neurasthenic | 15.6 (5.3) | 12.4 (4.6) | 3.84 | <0.001 |
Reactivity | ||||
Affective | 35.4 (10.0) | 29.4 (7.9) | 4.04 | <0.001 |
Behavioral | 24.7 (8.4) | 19.8 (7.4) | 3.68 | <0.001 |
Global | 63.4 (18.8) | 51.6 (15.4) | 4.15 | <0.001 |
Sensitivity Scale | EHS (n = 113) | Controls (n = 48) | Overall (n = 161) |
---|---|---|---|
Symptom | |||
Sensory/somatic | 0.61 | 0.62 | 0.63 |
Neurasthenic | 0.66 | 0.59 | 0.65 |
Reactivity | |||
Affective | 0.59 | 0.57 | 0.60 |
Behavioral | 0.63 | 0.54 | 0.62 |
Global | 0.63 | 0.61 | 0.64 |
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
Author Contributions
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Nordin, S.; Neely, G.; Olsson, D.; Sandström, M. Odor and Noise Intolerance in Persons with Self-Reported Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2014, 11, 8794-8805. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110908794
Nordin S, Neely G, Olsson D, Sandström M. Odor and Noise Intolerance in Persons with Self-Reported Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2014; 11(9):8794-8805. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110908794
Chicago/Turabian StyleNordin, Steven, Gregory Neely, David Olsson, and Monica Sandström. 2014. "Odor and Noise Intolerance in Persons with Self-Reported Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 11, no. 9: 8794-8805. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph110908794