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Multiple chemical sensitivities syndrome: toward a working case definition
J R Nethercott1, L L Davidoff, B Curbow
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Hygine and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
Archives of Environmental Health
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Experts identified five key criteria for diagnosing multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) syndrome. These criteria, based on self-reports, focus on reproducible symptoms, chronicity, low-level triggers, symptom resolution, and responses to multiple substances.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Medicine
- Clinical Toxicology
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Background:
- Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) syndrome is a complex condition lacking universally accepted diagnostic criteria.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for patient care and research into environmental health triggers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and establish major clinical diagnostic criteria for Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) syndrome based on expert consensus.
- To provide a provisional basis for categorizing cases in future MCS investigations.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was administered to 148 medical practitioners familiar with MCS.
- A response rate of 60.1% was achieved, with 89 practitioners returning scoreable questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Five self-report criteria were selected as major by over 50% of respondents.
- These include: reproducible symptoms upon exposure, chronic condition, low-level exposure triggers, symptom resolution upon incitant removal, and responses to multiple unrelated substances.
Conclusions:
- The identified five major criteria offer a provisional framework for MCS diagnosis.
- Widespread expert agreement on these criteria supports their use in future research and clinical practice for MCS syndrome.