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Environmental sensitivity.

Abba I Terr1

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco Medical School, 450 Sutter Street, #2534, San Francisco, CA 94108, USA. abbaterrmed@attglobal.net

Immunology and Allergy Clinics of North America
|June 14, 2003
PubMed
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Environmental sensitivity, a condition lacking clear definition and scientific basis, is linked to unproven treatments and significant patient disability. Critical evaluation using sound methods is needed to address this controversial syndrome.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Medicine
  • Clinical Ecology
  • Psychosomatic Medicine

Background:

  • Environmental sensitivity is a controversial concept alleging numerous symptoms from low-level chemical exposure without objective abnormalities.
  • Theories include immunotoxic, neurotoxic, and psychiatric mechanisms, sharing features with syndromes like chronic fatigue syndrome.
  • Clinical ecology encompasses environmental sensitivity, often involving unproven diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically evaluate the concept and practices of environmental sensitivity.
  • To examine the scientific validity of proposed etiological theories and diagnostic/treatment modalities.
  • To present alternative approaches for diagnosis and management.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and critical analysis of existing theories and practices.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Comparison with other controversial syndromes.
  • Evaluation of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for scientific validity.

    • Main Results:

    • Environmental sensitivity lacks a clear definition and objective pathological findings.
    • Proposed etiological theories lack scientific support.
    • Many diagnostic tests and treatments used are unproven, unnecessary, and lack scientific validation.

    Conclusions:

    • The concept of environmental sensitivity and clinical ecology lacks scientific rigor.
    • Patients often experience significant disability due to unvalidated treatments and symptom triggers.
    • Scientific evaluation is crucial, and alternative, evidence-based approaches are needed for diagnosis and management.