Attention to bodily sensations and symptom perception in individuals with idiopathic environmental intolerance.
BACKGROUND
Idiopathic environmental intolerance (IEI) is characterized by non-specific symptoms attributed to exposure to environmental odours or chemicals at levels below those known to induce adverse health effects. A clarification of whether psychological processes involved in sensory perceptions are associated with IEI would add to our understanding of this complex disorder.


OBJECTIVE
To examine if measures of somato-sensory amplification, autonomic perception and absorption are associated with IEI.


METHODS
The study included individuals with self-reported or physician-diagnosed IEI. Participants (n = 732) completed questionnaires that included items on descriptive variables of IEI, the Somato-Sensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), the Autonomic Perception Questionnaire (APQ), the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS) and a Negative Affectivity Scale (NAS).


RESULTS
Multiple, hierarchical linear regression analyses revealed significant positive associations between SSAS, APQ, and IEI, while small and inverse associations were seen between TAS and IEI.


CONCLUSIONS
The association with SSAS and APQ suggests that perceptual personality characteristics are important in understanding this disorder.
Skovbjerg
Sine
S
The Danish Research Centre for Chemical Sensitivities, Department of Dermato-Allergology, Gentofte Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Ledreborg Alle 40, 2.th, 2820, Gentofte, Denmark. sinsko01@geh.regionh.dk
Zachariae
Robert
R
Rasmussen
Alice
A
Johansen
Jeanne Duus
JD
Elberling
Jesper
J