title: [Multiple chemical sensitivity: Clinical evaluation of the severity and psychopathological profile].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a multisystem disorder of controversial etiology, affecting some subjects when exposed to chemicals at no harmful concentrations. The objective of this paper is to describe the epidemiological, clinical and psychological features of a sample of patients with MCS for further specific group treatment.
  Descriptive study of patients diagnosed with MCS in a toxicology unit. We administered the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory, the structured interview SCID-II, the anxiety scale HAS and the type A personality test, PCTA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-three patients were included. The mean age was 52,6 years (range 33-77; SD 9.29). Sixty-six were females (90.4%). Fifty-three percent were classified as i-ii and ii grade. Sixty-one patients (83%) presented some type of comorbidity, mainly chronic pain, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. They exhibited higher levels of anxiety (average score of 19.2), prevalence of phobic-avoidant traits of personality and type A behavior in 31.1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MCS affects middle-aged women with comorbidities (chronic pain, fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue) and high anxiety and avoidance behaviors. This preliminary analysis should help provide a specific therapeutic approach to these patients.
authors.affiliation: Sección de Psicología Clínica, Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Mallorca, España. Electronic address: eva.lago@ssib.es.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lago Blanco
authors.affiliation: Sección de Toxicología, Servicio de Urgencias, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Mallorca, España.
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Puiguriguer Ferrando
authors.affiliation: Sección de Psicología Clínica, Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Mallorca, España.
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rodríguez Enríquez
authors.affiliation: Sección de Psicología Clínica, Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Mallorca, España.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Agüero Gento
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Mallorca, España.
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salvà Coll
authors.affiliation: Sección de Psicología Clínica, Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitario Son Espases, Mallorca, España.
authors.forename: Maria Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pizà Portell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology; D002181:Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal / Q000453:epidemiology; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D015673:Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018777:Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D019338:Polypharmacy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution
keywords: Multiple chemical sensitivity; Perfil psicológico; Personality traits; Psychological profile; Rasgos de personalidad; Sensibilidad química múltiple