Anxiety and depressive states in multiple chemical sensitivity

Cases with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) frequently present mental symptoms. This study discusses the characteristics of the anxiety and depressive state of MCS by comparing patients of MCS with a gender and age-matched control group. In this investigation, MCS cases were selected among those satisfying the diagnostic criteria of Cullen after ruling out other physical diseases. Patients visiting ophthalmologists with other diseases were designated as the control. Evaluation of the anxiety and depressive state was performed in 48 cases of MCS and 48 controls using the Japanese version of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression. Significantly higher mean values of subjective anxiety and a depressive state were obtained in 18 MCS cases than in 18 controls for the follow-up patients, while no significant difference was observed between MCS and controls of 30 new patients for each group. Therefore, anxiety in MCS is characterized by the continuous high anxiety level. MCS is also characterized by a continuance of depressive state at a "neurotic level" category by SDS. The anxiety scores and depressive levels were highly correlated in MCS and controls at the first and subsequent appearances, except those in the follow-up control cases. In conclusion, both anxiety and a depressive state in MCS remained at high level until the subsequent examination, when those in controls decreased to a normal level.