The effect of supplementary antioxidant therapy in patients who report hypersensitivity to electricity: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Hypersensitivity to electricity is a proposed environmental illness of unknown etiology. Patients report a variety of symptoms that they relate to electric equipment. The afflicted individuals suffer from ill health. Many interventions have been tried but, to date, there is no one specific treatment that has been proven superior to other remedial actions. In general, there is a lack of controlled prospective studies.


OBJECTIVE
To test the hypothesis that antioxidant therapy reduces symptoms and improves health in patients reporting hypersensitivity to electricity.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study.


METHODS
Patients referred to the Environmental Illness Research Centre, Stockholm County Council.


METHODS
Sixteen patients reporting hypersensitivity to electricity.


METHODS
Antioxidant supplementation (vitamins C and E, selenium).


METHODS
Self-reported symptoms and reported degree of hypersensitivity to electricity, serum levels of uric acid and diphenylpycrylhydrazyl (DPPH).


RESULTS
The results indicated no significant differences in reported symptoms, reported hypersensitivity to electricity, or oxidative status in serum between periods of antioxidant and placebo treatments. Serum levels of DPPH and uric acid showed no correlation with the reported degree of symptoms or hypersensitivity to electricity.


CONCLUSIONS
The study did not show any beneficial effect of antioxidant supplementation for patients reporting hypersensitivity to electricity. The results do not support the hypothesis that oxidative stress is a major contributor to ill health in patients who report hypersensitivity to electricity.
Hillert
L
L
Department of Environmental Health, Stockholm County Council, Division of Occupational Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Kolmodin-Hedman
B
B
Eneroth
P
P
Arnetz
B B
BB
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004560:Electricity / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018876:Environmental Illness / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000975:Antioxidants; D004338:Drug Combinations; D014810:Vitamin E; D012643:Selenium; D001205:Ascorbic Acid