ID Number		2624
Study Type		Epidemiology
Model		The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of a Japanese version of an electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) questionnaire, originally developed by Eltiti et al. in the United Kingdom.
Details		AUTHORS' ABSTRACT: Hojo et al. 2016 (IEEE #6470): The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the validity and reliability of a Japanese version of an electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) questionnaire, originally developed by Eltiti et al. in the United Kingdom. Using this Japanese EHS questionnaire, surveys were conducted on 1306 controls and 127 self-selected EHS subjects in Japan. Principal component analysis of controls revealed eight principal symptom groups, namely, nervous, skin-related, head-related, auditory and vestibular, musculoskeletal, allergy-related, sensory, and heart/chest-related. The reliability of the Japanese EHS questionnaire was confirmed by high to moderate intraclass correlation coefficients in a testretest analysis, and high Cronbach's ± coefficients (0.8530.953) from each subscale. A comparison of scores of each subscale between self-selected EHS subjects and age- and sex-matched controls using bivariate logistic regression analysis, MannWhitney U- and Ç2 tests, verified the validity of the questionnaire. This study demonstrated that the Japanese EHS questionnaire is reliable and valid, and can be used for surveillance of EHS individuals in Japan. Furthermore, based on multiple logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analyses, we propose specific preliminary criteria for screening EHS individuals in Japan. AUTHORS' ABSTRACT: Hojo et al. 2018 (IEEE #7062): BACKGROUND: Recently, with rapid changes in the Japanese lifestyle, the clinical condition of patients with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) may also have undergone change. Thus, we conducted a new survey for subjective symptoms, ongoing chemical exposures, the prevalence of allergic diseases, and presumed onset/trigger factors in patients with MCS and compared results with those of an old survey from ten years ago. METHODS: The new survey was conducted from 2012 to 2015 and the old survey was independently conducted from 1999 to 2003, meaning it was not a follow-up study. Patients were initially diagnosed by physicians at five medical institutions with MCS specialty outpatient services, with 111 and 103 patients participating in the new and old surveys, respectively. The controls were a general population living in Japan, with 1313 and 2382 participants in the new and old surveys, respectively. Subjective symptoms and ongoing chemical exposure were evaluated using a quick environmental exposure sensitivity inventory. Additionally, from clinical findings recorded by an attending physician, the prevalence of allergic diseases and presumed onset/trigger factors were evaluated. Differences between new and old surveys were analyzed using logistic regression analyses and significance tests. RESULTS: Compared with ten years ago: (1) Regarding factors affecting patients with ongoing chemical exposures, the proportion of patients affected decreased significantly for two items only (insecticides and second-hand smoke). The proportion of controls showing ongoing exposure to 8 out of 10 items changed significantly. (2) In patients, scores for chemical intolerances, other intolerances, and life impacts increased significantly. (3) In terms of the prevalence of allergic diseases among patients with MCS, bronchial asthma (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 5.19), atopic dermatitis (AOR: 3.77), allergic rhinitis (AOR: 5.34), and food allergies (AOR: 2.63) increased significantly, while hay fever (AOR: 0.38) and drug allergies (AOR: 0.40) decreased significantly. (4) With regard to construction and renovation, which was the presumed predominant onset/trigger factor for MCS 10 years ago, this decreased from 68.9% to 35.1%; in contrast, electromagnetic fields (0.0%-26.1%), perfume (0.0%-20.7%), and medical treatment (1.9%-7.2%) increased significantly, confirming the diversification of onset/trigger factors. CONCLUSION: Compared to ten years ago, for patients with MCS, an increase in avoidance behavior toward chemical substance exposures, which were presumed to be aggravating factors for symptoms, was confirmed. It has been suggested that the ongoing chemical exposure of the general population in Japan has largely changed. In addition, for patients with MCS, chemical intolerances and life impacts have become severe, the prevalence of the main allergic diseases has increased, and onset/trigger factors have become diversified.
Findings		Not Applicable to Bioeffects
Status		Completed With Publication
Principal Investigator		Waseda Univ,Tokorozawa, Japan
Funding Agency		?????
Country		JAPAN
References		Hojo, S et al. Bioelectromagnetics., (2016) 37:353-372 Hojo, S et al. Int J Hyg Environ Health., (2018) 221:1085-1096
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