Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome: A Principal Component Analysis of Symptoms

Antonio Del Casale, Stefano Ferracuti, Alessio Mosca, Leda Marina Pomes, Federica Fiaschè, Luca Bonanni, Marina Borro, Giovanna Gentile, Paolo Martelletti and Maurizio Simmaco
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Antonio Del Casale: Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Stefano Ferracuti: Department of Human Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Alessio Mosca: Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Leda Marina Pomes: Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Federica Fiaschè: Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Luca Bonanni: Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Marina Borro: Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Giovanna Gentile: Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Paolo Martelletti: Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy
Maurizio Simmaco: Department of Neuroscience, Mental Health, and Sensory Organs (NESMOS), Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, Sapienza University, 00185 Rome, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-12

Abstract: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a chronic and/or recurrent condition with somatic, cognitive, and affective symptoms following a contact with chemical agents whose concentrations do not correlate with toxicity in the general population. Its prevalence is not well defined; it mainly affects women between 40 and 50 years, without variations in ethnicity, education and economic status. We aimed to assess the core symptoms of this illness in a sample of Italian patients. Two physicians investigated different symptoms with a checklist compilation in 129 patients with MCS (117 women). We conducted a categorical Principal Component Analysis (CATPCA) with Varimax rotation on the checklist dataset. A typical triad was documented: hyperosmia, asthenia, and dyspnoea were the most common symptoms. Patients also frequently showed cough and headache. The CATPCA showed seven main factors: 1, neurocognitive symptoms; 2, physical (objective) symptoms; 3, gastrointestinal symptoms; 4, dermatological symptoms; 5, anxiety-depressive symptoms; 6, respiratory symptoms; 7, hyperosmia and asthenia. Patients showed higher mean prevalence of factors 7 (89.9%), 6 (71.7%), and 1 (62.13%). In conclusion, MCS patients frequently manifest hyperosmia, asthenia, and dyspnoea, which are often concomitant with other respiratory and neurocognitive symptoms. Considering the clinical association that is often made with anxiety, more studies are necessary on the psychosomatic aspects of this syndrome. Further analytical epidemiological studies are needed to support the formulation of aetiological hypotheses of MCS.

Keywords: multiple chemical sensitivity; hyperosmia; asthenia; dyspnoea; respiratory symptoms; neurocognitive symptoms; anxiety; depression (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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