Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Review of the State of the Art in Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Future Perspectives

J Occup Environ Med. 2018 Feb;60(2):138-146. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001215.

Abstract

Objective: Systematic bibliography analysis of about the last 17 years on multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) was carried out in order to detect new diagnostic and epidemiological evidence. The MCS is a complex syndrome that manifests as a result of exposure to a low level of various common contaminants. The etiology, diagnosis, and treatment are still debated among researchers.

Method: Querying PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane library, both using some specific MESH terms combined with MESH subheadings and through free search, even by Google.

Results: The studies were analyzed by verifying 1) the typology of study design; 2) criteria for case definition; 3) presence of attendances in the emergency departments and hospital admissions, and 4) analysis of the risk factors.

Outlook: With this review, we give some general considerations and hypothesis for possible future research.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / diagnosis*
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / epidemiology*
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / physiopathology
  • Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / psychology
  • Observational Studies as Topic
  • Risk Factors