Odor-related Chronic Somatic Symptoms Are Associated with Self-Reported Asthma and Hay Fever: the Hordaland Health Study

The aetiology behind odor-related chronic somatic symptoms (o-rcss) is unknown, although both immunological and psychiatric causes have been suggested. the aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of self-reported asthma and hay fever and psychiatric symptoms in individuals having o-rcss compared to individuals with similar chronic somatic symptoms (css) which were not odors-related, and also compared to healthy controls. data from the hordaland health study were used. 13,799 individuals, 40-45 years, answered a questionnaire including 16 questions related to somatic symptoms. they also indicated if the symptoms were odor-related, and answered questions about asthma and hay fever. anxiety and depression were measured with the hospital anxiety and depression scale. 38 (0.6%) men and 106 (1.4%) women had o-rcss, whereas 88 (1.5%) men and 192 (2.5%) women had css. adjusted logistic regression analyses showed increased odds of self-reported asthma in those with o-rcss compared to those with css (males: 3.81, 1.06-13.8, females: 2.60, 1.05-6.93) and compared to male and female controls (3.56, 1.89-6.68 and 4.81, 1.92-12.1 respectively). increased odds of self-reported hay fever were in addition seen in females with o-rcss. there were no differences in psychiatric symptoms between individuals with o-rcss and css, although individuals in both groups showed increased odds compared to male and female controls. increased occurrence of self-reported asthma was exclusively found among male and females with o-rcss, compared to css and controls. increased occurrence of psychiatric symptoms was seen both in individuals with o-rcss and css.