Symptoms related to the sick building syndrome in a general population sample: associations with atopy, bronchial hyper-responsiveness and anxiety

OBJECTIVE: The sick building syndrome (SBS) is a term mainly applied to irr itative symptoms in the eyes, skin and upper airways that are experienced i n certain environments. The aim of this study was to investigate the charac teristics of subjects from the general population that report SBS-related s ymptoms. METHODS: The study comprised a randomly selected population of 418 individu als aged 20-45 years. The subjects underwent a structured interview, skin p rick tests, a methacholine provocation test and answered two questionnaires respectively assessing psychiatric status and the presence of SBS symptoms . RESULTS: Eighty-seven subjects (21%) reported one or more SBS symptom weekl y. Most common were general symptoms reported by 10% of the population. Fem ale sex (odds ratio [OR] = 2.1), atopy (OR = 2.2) and anxiety (OR = 2.6) we re significant independent risk factors for reporting at least one SBS-rela ted symptom. Anxiety (OR = 3.2) and depression (OR = 4.4) were significant predictors for general symptoms, while bronchial hyperresponsiveness was a significant predictor for pharyngeal symptoms (dryness in the throat, sore throat and irritating cough) (OR = 5.4). CONCLUSIONS: Sick building symptoms are common in the general population an d among women, while atopy and anxiety increase the risk of reporting such symptoms. Psychological factors are mainly related to general symptoms, whi le bronchial hyperresponsiveness is connected with pharyngeal symptoms.