Somatic and psychological characteristics of noise-sensitive adults in Finland.
The authors examined the relationship of noise sensitivity with health status and psychological factors in individuals <70 yr of age in Finland. Subjects (n = 1,355) were selected from a 1988 case-control study, based on the Finnish Twin Cohort, that assessed noise sensitivity, lifetime noise exposure, and hypertension. Other health status and psychological factors were obtained from a questionnaire that had been administered to the same individuals in 1981. Statistical analysis showed that noise sensitivity was associated significantly with hypertension, emphysema, use of psychotropic drugs (i.e., sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and pain relievers), stress, smoking, and hostility, even after adjustment for lifetime noise exposure. These results indicate that noise sensitivity has both psychological and somatogenic components.
Heinonen-Guzejev
Marja
M
University of Helsinki, Department of Public Health, Helsinki, Finland. marja.heinonen@helsinki.fi
Vuorinen
Heikki S
HS
Mussalo-Rauhamaa
Helena
H
Heikkilä
Kauko
K
Koskenvuo
Markku
M
Kaprio
Jaakko
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004646:Emphysema / Q000209:etiology; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland; D006304:Health Status; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009622:Noise / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012907:Smoking; D013315:Stress, Psychological
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs