[Multiple chemical sensitivity: epidemiological, clinical and prognostic differences between occupational and non-occupational cases]. / Sensibilidad química múltiple: diferencias epidemiológicas, clínicas y pronósticas entre la de origen laboral y la de origen no laboral.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The progressive increase in cases of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) syndrome and the lack of studies which associate the syndrome with possible occupational origins means that further research in this field is required. The objective of this study was to compare the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic aspects of cases of MCS of occupational and non-occupational origin. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Observational study of patients diagnosed with MCS by the toxicology outpatients clinic of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona between 2002 and 2007. The occupational and non-occupational origin of MCS was considered as an independent variable. The dependant variables were occupational activity, triggering agents of MCS, chemical agents associated with the development of clinical manifestations, severity of the symptoms, comorbidities and work disability. Percentages were compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 165 patients were included: The mean age was 47.7 years and 90.9% were women. There were significant differences between patients of occupational and non-occupational origin with respect to comorbidities such as chronic fatigue syndrome (68.1% versus 88.5%; p=0.002) and fibromyalgia (49.3% versus 73.9%; p=0.002), temporary disability (60.9% versus 39.6%; p=0.006) and permanent disability (8.7% versus 22.9%; p=0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Cases of MCS attributed to an occupational origin had fewer comorbidities and less permanent disability than those of non-occupational origin.

Intoxicación aguda por hidrato de hidracina / No disponible

Se aporta un caso de exposición aguda, debido a un vertido accidental de unos 25 litros de hidrato de hidracina, que el trabajador estuvo recogiendo sin ningún tipo de equipo de protección individual. El trabajador presentó alteraciones bucales, cutáneas y dolores abdominales difusos. De las pruebas complementarias únicamente se detectó un aumento de la bilirrubina total con predominio de la indirecta. Se le separó de la exposición, se le administró un tratamiento sintomático y en un periodo de un mes se recuperó íntegramente. Se comenta los principales casos de intoxicación por hidracina descritos en la literatura médica y se enfatiza en las medidas preventivas que se deben tomar para evitar casos como éste

We report a case of poisoning by acute exposure to hydrazine hydrate in a worker clearing up an accidental spillage of about 25 litres of the product who had no type of individual protective equipment. The patient presented buccal and cutaneous involvement and diffuse abdominal pain. Complementary tests were unremarkable except for an increase in total bilirubin with a predominance of indirect bilirubin. The patient was removed from the occupational exposure, symptomatic treatment was administered and the patient recovered completely after one month. We review the main reported cases of hydrazine poisoning and emphasize the preventive measures that should be taken to avoid this type of poisoning

Sensibilidad química múltiple: diferencias epidemiológicas, clínicas y pronósticas entre la de origen laboral y la de origen no laboral / Multiple chemical sensitivity: Epidemiological, clinical and prognostic differences between occupational and non-occupational cases

Fundamento y objetivo: El progresivo aumento de pacientes con síndrome de sensibilidad química múltiple (SQM) y la falta de estudios que relacionen su aparición con un posible origen laboral plantean la necesidad de investigaciones en este campo. El objetivo ha sido comparar aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos y pronósticos entre las SQM de origen laboral y no laboral. Pacientes y método: Estudio observacional de una serie de pacientes diagnosticados de SQM en la Consulta Externa de Toxicología del Hospital Clínic de Barcelona entre 2002-2007. El origen (laboral o no laboral) de la SQM se consideró como la variable independiente. Las variables dependientes fueron la actividad laboral, los agentes desencadenantes de la SQM, los productos químicos que se asocian al desarrollo de manifestaciones clínicas, la gravedad de los síntomas, las comorbilidades y la incapacidad laboral. Se comparó la distribución porcentual de resultados en el grupo de origen laboral y en el grupo de origen no laboral. Resultados: Se incluyeron 165 pacientes, con una media de edad de 47,7 años, de los que un 90,9% fueron mujeres. Al comparar los pacientes con SQM de origen laboral con los pacientes con SQM de origen no laboral, se obtuvieron diferencias significativas en la presencia de comorbilidades, como el síndrome de fatiga crónica (el 68,1 frente al 88,5%; p=0,002) o la fibromialgia (el 49,3 frente al 73,9%; p=0,002), en las incapacidades temporales (el 60,9 frente al 39,6%; p=0,006) y en las permanentes (el 8,7 frente al 22,9%; p=0,006). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con SQM atribuida a un origen laboral presentan menos comorbilidad e incapacidades permanentes que los pacientes con SQM de origen no laboral (AU)

Background and objective: The progressive increase in cases of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) syndrome and the lack of studies which associate the syndrome with possible occupational origins means that further research in this field is required. The objective of this study was to compare the epidemiological, clinical and prognostic aspects of cases of MCS of occupational and non-occupational origin. Patients and method: Observational study of patients diagnosed with MCS by the toxicology outpatients clinic of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona between 2002 and 2007. The occupational and non-occupational origin of MCS was considered as an independent variable. The dependant variables were occupational activity, triggering agents of MCS, chemical agents associated with the development of clinical manifestations, severity of the symptoms, comorbidities and work disability. Percentages were compared between groups. Results: A total of 165 patients were included: The mean age was 47.7 years and 90.9% were women. There were significant differences between patients of occupational and non-occupational origin with respect to comorbidities such as chronic fatigue syndrome (68.1% versus 88.5%; p=0.002) and fibromyalgia (49.3% versus 73.9%; p=0.002), temporary disability (60.9% versus 39.6%; p=0.006) and permanent disability (8.7% versus 22.9%; p=0.006). Conclusions. Cases of MCS attributed to an occupational origin had fewer comorbidities and less permanent disability than those of non-occupational origin (AU)