The frequency and features of allergic diseases in environmental pathology

Introduction . The study of the influence of environmental toxicants on the incidence of allergic diseases is a significant medical and social problem. Aim . To study the frequency and characteristics of allergic pathology in patients with multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome (MCH). Materials and methods . Using the QEESI questionnaire, 468 outpatients undergoing a preventive medical examination were surveyed (232 men, mean age 34.2 ± 9.3 years and 236 women, mean age 42.9 ± 13.8 years). Statistical processing was carried out using the statistical program MedCalc. The relationships and differences in the indicators were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Results . The frequency of MCH was 211 people (45.1%). Allergic diseases were found in the study in 21.0% (102) of patients: allergic rhinitis in 24 (44.4%), asthma in 13 (22.2%), food allergy in 9 (16.6%), atopic dermatitis in 8 (14.8%) patients. Significant differences in the subscale of the effect on life were revealed in patients with bronchial asthma (p = 0.01), food allergies (p = 0.01), atopic dermatitis (p = 0.01). The average scores on all points in patients with MCH and allergic diseases were significantly higher than in the group with isolated MCH syndrome (p = 0.01). Among patients with allergies, the number of women was significantly higher (74.9% vs. 25.1%, p = 0.01), women more often had high scores for each of the three subscales compared with men: 25% vs. 10% (p = 0.001) for chemical intolerance, 29% vs. 10% (p = 0.001) in terms of severity of symptoms and 22% versus 5% (p = 0.001) in terms of impact on life. Conclusion . 25.6% of patients with HCV had allergic diseases: asthma, allergic rhinitis, food allergies, and atopic dermatitis. Significant differences in the subscale of life effects in patients with bronchial asthma, food allergies and atopic dermatitis were revealed.