[Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) -- a case series].
OBJECTIVE
The phenomenon of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity which generally cannot be explained organically is frequently associated with psychic impairment. This case series deals with the question if in addition to a standardized interview a routine psychiatric-psychosomatic examination alters the classification if a patient suffers from symptoms compatible with MCS or not.


METHODS
Nine consecutive outpatients (m = 3, f = 6, mean age 44 yrs) of the environmental medicine centre were investigated. Somatic diseases were evaluated by standard medical procedures and emotional disturbances were assessed by the Munich Composite International Diagnostic Interview (M-CIDI) and a psychiatric-psychosomatic examination.


RESULTS
In all but one patients emotional disturbances (F-codes of the ICD-10) were diagnosed by the M-CIDI and the psychiatric-psychosomatic examination. The diagnoses of the M-CIDI and the psychiatric-psychosomatic examination often did not match. MCS was ruled out in seven patients.


CONCLUSIONS
According to the criteria defined by Cullen (5), emotional disturbances must be ruled out before MCS is diagnosed. Therefore, an examination by a specialist in psychiatry or psychosomatics is mandatory because evaluation solely based on the M-CIDI is insufficient. Performing a routine psychiatric-psychosomatic examination, MCS could be ruled out much more often than previously.
Wiesner
G
G
Institut und Poliklinik für Arbeits- und Umweltmedizin, Klinikum der Universität München, Innenstadt.
Pedrosa Gil
F
F
Nowak
D
D
D000328:Adult; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018876:Environmental Illness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018777:Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology