title: Olfactory sensitivity, nasal resistance, and autonomic function in patients with multiple chemical sensitivities.
abstract: A frequent, if not predominant, complaint of persons reporting symptoms of multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) is that of heightened sensitivity to smells. In this study odor detection thresholds for phenyl ethyl alcohol (a major component of rose oil) and methyl ethyl ketone (a common solvent) were measured in 18 persons exhibiting symptoms of MCS and in 18 matched normal controls. In addition, nasal resistance, blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration rate were determined before and after the olfactory tests. Scores on the Beck Depression Inventory were obtained prior to testing. Although olfactory thresholds were equivalent in the two study groups, the MCS group evidenced significantly higher nasal resistances, respiration rates and Beck Depression Inventory scores. Decreases in systolic blood pressure and pulse were noted in both groups across the test sessions. These results do not support the hypothesis that MCS is associated with greater olfactory threshold sensitivity (at least to the two target chemicals), but do suggest that MCS is associated with depression, increased respiration rate, and decreased nasal airway patency.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Human Communication, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Doty
authors: D A
authors: DA
authors: Deems
authors: R E
authors: RE
authors: Frye
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Pelberg
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Shapiro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D001341:Autonomic Nervous System / Q000502:physiology*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002074:Butanones / Q000494:pharmacology; D003863:Depression / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009831:Olfactory Mucosa / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol / Q000494:pharmacology; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D012684:Sensory Thresholds / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D002074:Butanones; C005222:methylethyl ketone; D010626:Phenylethyl Alcohol