Impact of comorbidity on symptomatology in various types of environmental intolerance in a general Swedish and Finnish adult population

Authors: Nordin S, Köteles F, Witthöft M, Van den Bergh O, Nyback MH, Sainio M

Year: 2023 Apr 18

Category: Environmental Health

Journal: Environ Res

DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115945

URL: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37080270/

Abstract

Overview

Comorbidity is often present in cases of environmental intolerances (EIs), impacting the understanding of symptoms specific to the intolerance itself. This study focuses on a broad spectrum of symptoms across various EIs including chemical, building-related, electromagnetic field (EMF) related, and sound EI, considering their relation to comorbid health conditions.

Findings

  • Examination of symptoms across different bodily systems and their prevalence in exclusive EIs, beyond any existing comorbidities.
  • Involvement of cross-sectional data from 4941 participants from Västerbotten (Sweden) and Österbotten (Finland) Environmental Health Studies.
  • Identification of characteristic symptoms for each EI type, with EMF-related EI primarily associated with skin symptoms.

Conclusion

The research highlights that while a broad range of symptoms are commonly reported across all EIs, certain symptoms tied to specific body systems are more prevalent in certain types of EI. Notably, symptoms in EMF-related intolerances such as skin reactions could suggest underlying mechanisms linking EMF exposure to observable health outcomes, even when factors like comorbidities are accounted for.

environmental intolerance electromagnetic field EMF-related intolerance symptomatology comorbidity
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