TY - JOUR

T1 - Physiological Health and Physical Performance in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity-Described in the General Population

AU - Bjerregaard, Anne A.

AU - Petersen, Marie W.

AU - Skovbjerg, Sine

AU - Gormsen, Lise K.

AU - Cedeño-Laurent, José G.

AU - Jørgensen, Torben

AU - Linneberg, Allan

AU - Dantoft, Thomas Meinertz

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a multifactorial somatic disorder characterized by physical reactions triggered by even extremely low levels of different airborne chemicals. In most individuals with MCS, these reactions have substantial negative impact on social, occupational, and everyday life often including limited or no engagement in physical activities. The aim of this study was to explore associations between MCS and objective measurements of anthropometry, cardiorespiratory health, and physical performance. From the Danish population-based cohort DanFunD counting 9656 participants aged 18-76 years, 1.95% (n = 188) were categorized as MCS individuals (MCS All). Of those 188, 109 participants were subcategorized as having MCS without functional somatic disorders (FSD) (MCS with no comorbid FSD). The remaining study population without any FSD were regarded controls. We used adjusted multiple linear regression analyses to evaluate associations between MCS and anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical performance. Compared with the general population, MCS All had less optimal body composition, increased risk of obesity, impaired cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical performance which was not seen in MCS with no comorbid FSD. MCS individuals may be inhibited to maintain an active lifestyle which can increase risk of obesity and consequently have negatively impact on general health, which may not be the case among MCS with no comorbid FSD.

AB - Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a multifactorial somatic disorder characterized by physical reactions triggered by even extremely low levels of different airborne chemicals. In most individuals with MCS, these reactions have substantial negative impact on social, occupational, and everyday life often including limited or no engagement in physical activities. The aim of this study was to explore associations between MCS and objective measurements of anthropometry, cardiorespiratory health, and physical performance. From the Danish population-based cohort DanFunD counting 9656 participants aged 18-76 years, 1.95% (n = 188) were categorized as MCS individuals (MCS All). Of those 188, 109 participants were subcategorized as having MCS without functional somatic disorders (FSD) (MCS with no comorbid FSD). The remaining study population without any FSD were regarded controls. We used adjusted multiple linear regression analyses to evaluate associations between MCS and anthropometry, cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical performance. Compared with the general population, MCS All had less optimal body composition, increased risk of obesity, impaired cardiorespiratory fitness, and physical performance which was not seen in MCS with no comorbid FSD. MCS individuals may be inhibited to maintain an active lifestyle which can increase risk of obesity and consequently have negatively impact on general health, which may not be the case among MCS with no comorbid FSD.

KW - DanFunD

KW - functional somatic disorders

KW - MSC

KW - multiple chemical sensitivity

U2 - 10.3390/ijerph19159039

DO - 10.3390/ijerph19159039

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 35897408

AN - SCOPUS:85135371433

VL - 19

JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

SN - 1661-7827

IS - 15

M1 - 9039

ER -