Idiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF): A systematic review of identifying criteria

Abstract

BackgroundIdiopathic environmental intolerance attributed to electromagnetic fields (IEI-EMF) remains a complex and unclear phenomenon, often characterized by the report of various, non-specific physical symptoms (NSPS) when an EMF source is present or perceived by the individual. The lack of validated criteria for defining and assessing IEI-EMF affects the quality of the relevant research, hindering not only the comparison or integration of study findings, but also the identification and management of patients by health care providers. The objective of this review was to evaluate and summarize the criteria that previous studies employed to identify IEI-EMF participants.MethodsAn extensive literature search was performed for studies published up to June 2011. We searched EMBASE, Medline, Psychinfo, Scopus and Web of Science. Additionally, citation analyses were performed for key papers, reference sections of relevant papers were searched, conference proceedings were examined and a literature database held by the Mobile Phones Research Unit of King’s College London was reviewed.ResultsSixty-three studies were included. “Hypersensitivity to EMF” was the most frequently used descriptive term. Despite heterogeneity, the criteria predominantly used to identify IEI-EMF individuals were: 1. Self-report of being (hyper)sensitive to EMF. 2. Attribution of NSPS to at least one EMF source. 3. Absence of medical or psychiatric/psychological disorder capable of accounting for these symptoms 4. Symptoms should occur soon (up to 24 hours) after the individual perceives an exposure source or exposed area. (Hyper)sensitivity to EMF was either generalized (attribution to various EMF sources) or source-specific. Experimental studies used a larger number of criteria than those of observational design and performed more frequently a medical examination or interview as prerequisite for inclusion.ConclusionsConsiderable heterogeneity exists in the criteria used by the researchers to identify IEI-EMF, due to explicit differences in their conceptual frameworks. Further work is required to produce consensus criteria not only for research purposes but also for use in clinical practice. This could be achieved by the development of an international protocol enabling a clearly defined case definition for IEI-EMF and a validated screening tool, with active involvement of medical practitioners.

The relationship of modern health worries to non-specific physical symptoms and perceived environmental sensitivity: A study combining self-reported and general practice data

“…In addition, they may be a contributing factor in the development of environmental sensitivities, together with other previously documented predisposing factors such worse perceived health, higher distress levels, low work satisfaction and negative affect [27,30,49,50], while cognitive as well as behavioral aspects seem to have a prominent role [27,30]. Considering the large heterogeneity within environmentally sensitive groups in terms of physiological reactions and attributed sources [51,52] it should not be ruled out that within the broad environmental sensitivity spectrum, different competing or complementary explanatory mechanisms might apply [53]. For instance, in sensitivities with a hypothesized genetic predisposition such as noise sensitivity [54], worries could also follow self-reported sensitivity to the stressor instead of preceding it.…”

Prevalencia de insomnio en adultos de 18-60 años y exposición a campos electromagnéticos en hogares de la ciudad de Barranquilla, Colombia

“…Otra hipótesis es que la exposición a campos electromagnéticos de mayor intensidad tal vez produzca síntomas de agotamiento físico y mental que provoquen mucho más cansancio y somnolencia en las personas. Esta hipótesis se sustenta en estudios que han reportado el síndrome de fatiga asociado a la exposición a los campos electromagnéticos (21) y a la intolerancia ambiental idiopática frente a ellos (22).…”

Does electromagnetic hypersensitivity originate from nocebo responses? Indications from a qualitative study

“…All these observations indicate that IEI‐EMF might be classified among functional somatic syndromes [Barsky and Borus, ], or symptom‐based conditions [Hyams, ]. They also explain why it remains an essentially self‐reported condition, lacking an objective and unambiguous case‐definition [Baliatsas et al, ]. In this paper, the term EHS is used to refer to this subjective aspect of IEI‐EMF (conversely, the term IEI‐EMF is employed—as it was defined during the World Health Organization 2004 Prague workshop—to designate the illness that may account for symptoms experienced by subjectively EHS people [Hansson Mild et al, ].…”