Prevalence and risk factors for chemical sensitivity and sensory hyperreactivity in teenagers.
The prevalence of chemical sensitivity (CS) and sensory hyperreactivity (SHR) was assessed in a teenage population. Among a random sample of 401 teenagers, 326 (81.3%) answered questionnaires assessing sensitivity to chemicals and noise, anxiety and depression. A subgroup of 85 teenagers conducted a capsaicin inhalation test. The estimated prevalence was 15.6% for general self-reported CS, 3.7% for CS with affective and behavioral consequences, about 1% for SHR. Sensitivity variables were positively intercorrelated. Risk factors for general CS were noise sensitivity (OR: 2.1), probable anxiety (OR: 2.5) and female sex (OR: 2.0). CS problems seem to be present also in teenagers, although less so than in adults. Furthermore, CS seems to be related to other environmental sensitivities.
Andersson
Linus
L
Department of Psychology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. linus.andersson@psy.umu.se
Johansson
Ake
A
Millqvist
Eva
E
Nordin
Steven
S
Bende
Mats
M
D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018777:Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009622:Noise; D015995:Prevalence; D013548:Sweden; D055815:Young Adult