Abstract
Ninety physicians practicing in the state of Virginia USA completed a mail survey regarding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Survey questions addressed demographics; familiarity with MCS; etiology; overlapping conditions; accommodations made for patients and practices regarding evaluation, treatment, and referral. A little over half of respondents were familiar with MCS. Under a third had received any medical training regarding chemical sensitivity, only 7% were “very satisfied” with their knowledge, and 6% had a treatment protocol for the condition. Participants cited a range of etiologies and overlapping conditions including asthma, Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome (RADS), Sick Building Syndrome (SBS), Chronic Fatigues Syndrome (CFS), and Fibromyalgia. Physicians infrequently considered chemicals as a cause of illness when seeing new patients. Evaluation techniques included interviews, blood work, immune profiles, and allergy testing. Interventions recommended included chemical avoidance, alterations in the home environment, diet restrictions, the use of air filters, and referrals to outside specialists.
Highlights
Persons who experience Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), referred to as chemical intolerance, environmental illness, and chemical hypersensitivity [1], are a medically underserved group making up 12.6% of the US population [2], with 4% experiencing the symptoms daily [3]
Though the diagnosis of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity has been the subject of a detailed report commissioned by the Canadian Human Rights Commission [12], the condition continues to be surrounded by medical controversy and uncertainty regarding its label, causes, and indicated treatments
Physicians reported gaining knowledge about MCS from a variety of sources, including other health providers (51%), journal articles (47%), formal education/medical school (30%), the media (16%), mentors/experts (13%), professional conferences (9%), and books (4%)
Summary
Persons who experience Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), referred to as chemical intolerance, environmental illness, and chemical hypersensitivity [1], are a medically underserved group making up 12.6% of the US population [2], with 4% experiencing the symptoms daily [3]. Individuals with MCS report experiencing disabling symptoms as a result of low-level exposures to chemicals in ambient air generally tolerated by a majority of the population. Though the diagnosis of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity has been the subject of a detailed report commissioned by the Canadian Human Rights Commission [12], the condition continues to be surrounded by medical controversy and uncertainty regarding its label, causes, and indicated treatments. Unlike chronic fatigue (myalgic encephalomyelitis or ME in the UK), which receives some recognition and study from the medical profession, MCS remains a marginalized condition in mainstream medical practice and patients report mixed experiences when requesting medical help
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