Prevalence and correlation of multiple chemical sensitivity and electromagnetic hypersensitivity with age, sex, and depression in the Japanese population: a retrospective study

Abstract

Overview

This study addresses the prevalence and correlation between multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) among various demographics within the Japanese population. Its primary objectives are to outline the prevalence rates and explore the relationship these conditions have with age, sex, and depressive symptoms.

Methods

• An anonymous self-report questionnaire was distributed to 2,007 participants.
• Key variables studied include MCS, EHS, depression score, and demographic characteristics.
• Statistical methods employed were the U-test, chi-squared test, and correlation analyses.
• Covariance structure analysis was used to create a structural equation model.

Findings

Key findings revealed that older individuals and women are more likely to report symptoms of MCS and EHS. Depression showed a significant correlation with both MCS and EHS. The study also pointed out the distinct characteristics and symptoms of MCS and EHS, emphasizing that although strongly correlated, they can be considered separate conditions.

Conclusion

While MCS and EHS exhibit strong correlations and compelling data on gender and age-related prevalence, their distinct characteristics suggest that they are separate health conditions. Furthermore, the study acknowledges the limitations such as potential recall bias, the self-report nature of the data collection, and the small sample size which could affect the statistical power of findings.