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Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 4/2009

01-03-2009 | Original Article

Phenotypes of individuals affected by airborne chemicals in the general population

Authors: Nikolaj Drimer Berg, Allan Linneberg, Asger Dirksen, Jesper Elberling

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 4/2009

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Abstract

Objective

To characterise the chemical exposures and symptoms affecting individuals with subsequent adjustments of social life or occupational conditions, and further characterise these severely affected individuals.

Methods

All individuals (n = 1,134) who reported symptoms from airborne chemical exposures in a population-based questionnaire study of 6,000 individuals were included and dichotomised according to severity. Logistic regression models were used to characterise the group of severely affected individuals.

Results

Severely affected individuals reported more symptoms and exposures related to symptoms than less severely affected individuals, and the number of symptoms was more predictive for severity than the number of exposures. Most predictive for the severity of reported symptoms were CNS-symptoms other than headache (OR = 3.2, P < 0.001) and exposure to freshly printed papers or magazines (OR = 2.0, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

CNS-symptoms except from headache were a main characteristic of individuals severely affected by common chemical exposures in a general population-based sample.
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Metadata
Title
Phenotypes of individuals affected by airborne chemicals in the general population
Authors
Nikolaj Drimer Berg
Allan Linneberg
Asger Dirksen
Jesper Elberling
Publication date
01-03-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 4/2009
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-008-0352-y

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