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Medical and social prognosis for patients with perceived hypersensitivity to electricity and skin symptoms related to the use of visual display terminals

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Authors not listed · 2002

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Swedish hospital study shows electromagnetic hypersensitivity forces 38% of patients to stop working, predominantly affecting women.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Swedish researchers followed 350 patients with electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) over 18 years, finding that 38% of those with general electrical sensitivity stopped working compared to 17% with computer screen-related symptoms. Women were disproportionately affected, comprising 62-78% of patients, and those with broader electrical sensitivity showed worse long-term outcomes than those with screen-specific symptoms.

Why This Matters

This long-term Swedish study provides crucial insights into the real-world impact of electromagnetic hypersensitivity on people's lives and livelihoods. The fact that more than one-third of patients with general electrical sensitivity became unable to work demonstrates the severity of this condition for those affected. The gender disparity is particularly striking, with women representing nearly four out of five patients with computer screen sensitivity. What makes this research especially valuable is its 18-year timeframe and large patient population from a major university hospital. The distinction between general electrical sensitivity and screen-specific symptoms suggests different underlying mechanisms or severity levels. While skeptics often dismiss EHS as psychological, the consistent medical documentation and life-altering consequences documented here point to a genuine health phenomenon that deserves serious medical attention and workplace accommodation.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2002). Medical and social prognosis for patients with perceived hypersensitivity to electricity and skin symptoms related to the use of visual display terminals.
Show BibTeX
@article{medical_and_social_prognosis_for_patients_with_perceived_hypersensitivity_to_electricity_and_skin_symptoms_related_to_the_use_of_visual_display_terminals_ce1701,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Medical and social prognosis for patients with perceived hypersensitivity to electricity and skin symptoms related to the use of visual display terminals},
  year = {2002},
  doi = {10.5271/SJWEH.685},
  
}
DOI: 10.5271/SJWEH.685PubMed: 12432989

Quick Questions About This Study

The Swedish study found that 38% of patients with general hypersensitivity to electricity were no longer gainfully employed, compared to 17% of those with computer screen-related symptoms, showing significant career impact.
Women comprised 62% of electrical hypersensitivity patients and 78% of computer screen sensitivity cases. The study doesn't explain why, but women also sought medical care more frequently than men.
Yes, patients with skin symptoms related to computer screens and fluorescent lights showed medical improvement over time, unlike those with general electrical hypersensitivity whose symptoms remained stable or worsened.
General electrical sensitivity involves multiple symptoms from various electric environments, while screen sensitivity primarily causes facial skin symptoms from computers, TVs, and fluorescent lights with better long-term prognosis.
University Hospital of Northern Sweden registered 350 electrical sensitivity patients from 1980-1998, with 250 responding to follow-up questionnaires about their health status and employment outcomes over 18 years.