Risk factors associated with persistence of neuropsychological deficits in persons with organic solvent exposure.
This study examined neuropsychological prognosis following organic solvent exposure. Twenty-seven persons with evidence of "mild toxic encephalopathy" were evaluated on two separate occasions with a standard neuropsychological test battery and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Ratings by experienced clinicians revealed that 50% of exposed persons had improved neuropsychological performance at the second evaluation. The other 50% were rated as having no change or a decline in neuropsychological tests scores. While the majority of persons in the good-outcome group were working at the time of the follow-up evaluation, none of the persons in the poor-outcome group was actively employed. Persons rated as having shown no improvement were significantly more likely to have had a peak exposure--an episode in which they were briefly exposed to a larger than normal amount of solvent. In addition, persons in the poor outcome group reported higher levels of psychological distress, both initially and at the follow-up evaluation. Results from this study suggest that the presence of certain risk factors, namely a peak exposure and psychological distress, may be particularly detrimental for long-term neuropsychological outcome in persons with a history of organic solvent exposure.
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.
L A
LA
Morrow
C M
CM
Ryan
M J
MJ
Hodgson
N
N
Robin
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008950:MMPI; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012997:Solvents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000506:poisoning; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D014888:Wechsler Scales
D012997:Solvents