title: Odor-related Chronic Somatic Symptoms Are Associated with Self-Reported Asthma and Hay Fever: The Hordaland Health Study.
abstract: The aetiology behind odor-related chronic somatic symptoms (O-RCSS) is unknown, although both immunological and psychiatric causes have been suggested. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of self-reported asthma and hay fever and psychiatric symptoms in individuals having O-RCSS compared to individuals with similar chronic somatic symptoms (CSS) which were not odors-related, and also compared to healthy controls. Data from the Hordaland Health Study were used. 13,799 individuals, 40-45 years, answered a questionnaire including 16 questions related to somatic symptoms. They also indicated if the symptoms were odor-related, and answered questions about asthma and hay fever. Anxiety and depression were measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. 38 (0.6%) men and 106 (1.4%) women had O-RCSS, whereas 88 (1.5%) men and 192 (2.5%) women had CSS. Adjusted logistic regression analyses showed increased odds of self-reported asthma in those with O-RCSS compared to those with CSS (males: 3.81, 1.06-13.8, females: 2.60, 1.05-6.93) and compared to male and female controls (3.56, 1.89-6.68 and 4.81, 1.92-12.1 respectively). Increased odds of self-reported hay fever were in addition seen in females with O-RCSS. There were no differences in psychiatric symptoms between individuals with O-RCSS and CSS, although individuals in both groups showed increased odds compared to male and female controls. Increased occurrence of self-reported asthma was exclusively found among male and females with O-RCSS, compared to CSS and controls. Increased occurrence of psychiatric symptoms was seen both in individuals with O-RCSS and CSS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway. hsg@hib.no.
authors.forename: Hilde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gundersen
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion and Development, Faculty of Psychology, University of Bergen, Norway. anette.harris@uib.no.
authors.forename: Anette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway. magne.bratveit@uib.no.
authors.forename: Magne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bråtveit
authors.affiliation: Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Norway. bente.moen@uib.no.
authors.forename: Bente E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Moen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018777:Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D009812:Odorants; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D057566:Self Report