Table 3. Median scores for patients and controls and odds ratios of patients to controls for four subscales in QEESI.
| MCS Patients | Controls | Odds ratio (95% CI) | P-valuea | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Q1 Chemical Intolerances, median (IQR) | ||||
| q1.1 Diesel or gasoline exhaust | 6 (4) | 2 (4) | 1.52 (1.39–1.66) | <0.001*** |
| q1.2 Tobacco smoke | 7 (3) | 2 (5) | 1.43 (1.32–1.55) | <0.001*** |
| q1.3 Insecticide | 8 (5) | 2 (5) | 1.49 (1.38–1.62) | <0.001*** |
| q1.4 Gasoline | 6 (4) | 2 (5) | 1.46 (1.35–1.59) | <0.001*** |
| q1.5 Paint or paint thinner | 8 (5) | 3 (4) | 1.56 (1.43–1.71) | <0.001*** |
| q1.6 Cleaning products | 8 (4) | 2 (5) | 1.66 (1.51–1.82) | <0.001*** |
| q1.7 Fragrances | 8 (4) | 2 (5) | 1.57 (1.44–1.72) | <0.001*** |
| q1.8 Tar or asphalt | 6 (6) | 2 (4) | 1.42 (1.32–1.54) | <0.001*** |
| q1.9 Nail polish or hairspray | 7 (5) | 2 (4) | 1.54 (1.41–1.67) | <0.001*** |
| q1.10 New furnishings | 7 (5.5) | 1 (4) | 1.52 (1.40–1.65) | <0.001*** |
| Total Q1 score | 66 (34) | 21.5 (37) | 1.05 (1.04–1.07) | <0.001*** |
| Q2 Other Intolerances, median (IQR) | ||||
| q2.1 Chlorinated tap water | 3 (5) | 0 (2) | 1.30 (1.20–1.41) | <0.001*** |
| q2.2 Foods or food additives | 4.5 (7) | 0 (1) | 1.35 (1.26–1.45) | <0.001*** |
| q2.3 Food cravings or feeling ill if meal missed | 0 (1) | 0 (0) | 1.51 (1.28–1.78) | <0.001*** |
| q2.4 Feeling ill after meals | 0 (3) | 0 (0) | 1.50 (1.33–1.70) | <0.001*** |
| q2.5 Caffeine | 0 (3.25) | 0 (0) | 1.40 (1.26–1.55) | <0.001*** |
| q2.6 Feeling ill if caffeine intake is stopped or decreased | 0 (0) | 0 (0) | 1.20 (1.05–1.38) | 0.008** |
| q2.7 Alcohol in small amounts | 0 (5.75) | 0 (0) | 1.24 (1.15–1.33) | <0.001*** |
| q2.8 Fabrics, jewelry, creams and cosmetics that touch the skin | 5 (6) | 0 (3) | 1.39 (1.29–1.50) | <0.001*** |
| q2.9 Adverse reactions to drugs or medications | 5 (9) | 0 (1) | 1.43 (1.33–1.53) | <0.001*** |
| q2.10 Classical allergic reactions | 6 (5) | 2 (5) | 1.28 (1.20–1.38) | <0.001*** |
| Total Q2 score | 26 (24) | 8 (14) | 1.10 (1.08–1.12) | <0.001*** |
| Q3 Symptom Severity, median (IQR) | ||||
| q3.1 Musculoskeletal | 5 (7) | 0 (2) | 1.48 (1.37–1.60) | <0.001*** |
| q3.2 Airway mucous membranes | 6 (4) | 1 (3) | 1.73 (1.57–1.91) | <0.001*** |
| q3.3 Heart- or chest-related | 4 (5) | 0 (1) | 1.70 (1.54–1.88) | <0.001*** |
| q3.4 Gastrointestinal | 5 (6) | 1 (2) | 1.51 (1.39–1.64) | <0.001*** |
| q3.5 Cognitive | 6 (5) | 1 (2) | 1.71 (1.55–1.89) | <0.001*** |
| q3.6 Affective | 5 (6) | 1 (2) | 1.56 (1.43–1.70) | <0.001*** |
| q3.7 Neuromuscular | 6 (6) | 1 (2) | 1.69 (1.54–1.85) | <0.001*** |
| q3.8 Head-related | 7 (5) | 0 (2) | 1.77 (1.61–1.96) | <0.001*** |
| q3.9 Skin | 4 (4) | 0 (2) | 1.38 (1.28–1.49) | <0.001*** |
| q3.10 Genitourinary | 4 (6) | 1 (2) | 1.40 (1.29–1.51) | <0.001*** |
| Total Q3 score | 53 (36) | 10 (18) | 1.10 (1.08–1.11) | <0.001*** |
| Q5 Life Impacts, median (IQR) | ||||
| q5.1 Diet | 2 (5) | 0 (0) | 1.77 (1.56–2.01) | <0.001*** |
| q5.2 Ability to work or attend school | 7 (8) | 0 (0) | 1.84 (1.65–2.06) | <0.001*** |
| q5.3 Choice of home furnishings | 6 (6.5) | 0 (0) | 1.86 (1.67–2.07) | <0.001*** |
| q5.4 Choice of clothing | 5 (6) | 0 (2) | 1.59 (1.46–1.73) | <0.001*** |
| q5.5 Ability to drive or travel | 6 (6) | 0 (0) | 1.96 (1.74–2.21) | <0.001*** |
| q5.6 Choice of personal care products | 7 (6) | 0 (1) | 1.65 (1.51–1.79) | <0.001*** |
| q5.7 Ability to be around others and enjoy social activities | 7 (5) | 0 (0) | 2.00 (1.78–2.25) | <0.001*** |
| q5.8 Choice of hobbies or recreation | 5 (5) | 0 (0) | 1.97 (1.75–2.22) | <0.001*** |
| q5.9 Relationships with spouse and family | 3 (6) | 0 (0) | 1.80 (1.59–2.03) | <0.001*** |
| q5.10 Ability to perform household chores | 5 (6) | 0 (1) | 1.83 (1.64–2.05) | <0.001*** |
| Total Q5 score | 46 (37) | 2 (8) | 1.13 (1.10–1.15) | <0.001*** |
aWald test for median; significant at **p < 0.01, ***p < 0.001
QEESI, Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory; IQR, interquartile range; CI, confidence interval