Evaluation of a modified German version of the Q16 questionnaire for neurotoxic symptoms in workers exposed to solvents

Objectives-To assess sensitivity and specificity of a questionnaire designe d to detect neurotoxic symptoms in workers exposed to solvents and in patie nts with a psyche-organic syndrome. Methods-The Swedish Q16 is a self administered questionnaire for neurotoxic symptoms. The modified German version consists of 18 questions. The result s were analysed from 1166 questionnaires which were completed by adults bel onging to the following groups; 483 workers with occupational exposure to s olvents and 193 non-exposed controls, 25 patients with a psyche-organic syn drome, 25 sex and age matched patients with a lung disease, and a sample of 440 people from the general population. Results-The German Q18 was easy to handle and quick to perform. Workers exp osed to solvents reported significantly more complaints than controls (2.9 v 2.5). All patients with a psyche-organic syndrome had five or more compla ints. This was true for only 32% of patients with lung disease. These compa risons showed that chronic exposure to solvents was associated with subject ive complaints related particularly to cognitive functions. In the sample o f the general population, age, education level, smoking habits, and time of performance showed no significant influence on the Q18 result. Women had s ignificantly more complaints than men (3.2 v 2.3). People who reported drin king alcohol occasionally or moderately had significantly fewer complaints than teetotalers. Conclusions-The German Q18 has an acceptable sensitivity and reliability, a reasonable specificity, and a good practicability. It is a useful instrume nt for screening workers exposed to solvents. A cut off point of 5 for men is recommended, and a cut off point of 6 for women is proposed.