title: Allergic diseases and multiple chemical sensitivity in korean adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a clinical syndrome representing multi-organ and psychological symptoms caused by chronic exposure to various chemicals in low concentrations. We evaluated the prevalence and related factors of MCS targeting Korean adults using the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI©).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 446 participants were recruited from Severance Hospital. Participants underwent a questionnaire interview including questions on sociodemographic factors, occupational and environmental factors, allergic diseases, and the QEESI©. Among them, 379 participants completed the questionnaire and the QEESI©. According to the QEESI© interpretation results, participants were divided into very suggestive (VS) group and less suggestive (LS) group.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The estimated prevalence of MCS was higher in allergic patients than non-allergic participants (19.7% and 11.3%, respectively, P=0.04). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, ages of 30-39 (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.25-6.95) and those of 40-49 (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.02-6.21) were significantly related to MCS compared to those aged less than 30 years. Female sex (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.11-4.18), experience of dwelling in a new house (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.04-4.03), and atopic dermatitis (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.04-3.69) were also significantly related to MCS. However, only age of 30-39 in the allergic group was significant in the stratified analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The estimated prevalence of MCS was higher among allergic patients than non-allergic participants. People with experience of dwelling in a new house and atopic dermatitis were more at risk of being intolerant to chemicals. Further studies to provide the nationally representative prevalence data and clarify risk factors and mechanisms of MCS are required.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. ; Institute for Occupational Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Inchul
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea. ; Institute for Occupational Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Inah
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Institute for Occupational Health, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. ; Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jaehoon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jung-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Division of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Institute of Allergy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
keywords: Allergic disease; QEESI; environmental exposure; multiple chemical sensitivity