Medical/biological study (observational study)

Blood laboratory findings in patients suffering from self-perceived electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) med./bio.

By: Dahmen N, Ghezel-Ahmadi D, Engel A

Published in: Bioelectromagnetics 2009; 30 (4): 299-306

Aim of study (acc. to author)

To examine clinical laboratory findings in subjects suffering from electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS) and in controls to identify somatic disorders.

Background/further details

132 patients (42 males, 90 females) with electromagnetic hypersensitivity and a control group (34 males, 67 females) were recruited from German electromagnetic field self-help groups, an internet project (watchdog) and by advertisement in Mainz and Regensburg. Inclusion criteria for patients were 1) high questionnaire ratings (Regensburger electromagnetic fields complaint list), 2) attribution of symptoms to electromagnetic emission sources, 3) age 18-65 years. Exclusion criteria were acute psychiatric disorders.

Endpoint

effects on the immune system: blood parameters

Exposure

- EMF general
- mobile communications
- mobile phone
- mobile phone base station
- wireless transmitter
- W-LAN/WiFi
- not extractable

No exposure details are available.

Exposed system:

human
whole body

Methods Endpoint/measurement parameters/methodology

effects on the immune system: blood parameters: thyroid (TSH), liver (alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase), anaemia (haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, iron, ferritin, zinc protoporphyrin), kidney (creatinine, electrolytes), inflammation (c-reactive protein, leukocytes, thrombocytes, mean platelet volume)

Investigated system:

blood samples

Investigated organ system:

immune system

Main outcome of study (acc. to author)

The electromagnetic hypersensitivity patients had significantly lower TSH values and significant higher alanine transaminase- and aspartate aminotransferase levels than the control group. Anaemia parameters did not differ between both groups and kidney parameters did not reveal major concerns for electromagnetic hypersensitivity. Some electromagnetic hypersensitivity patients displayed elevated levels of c-reactive protein.
The results identified signs of thyroid dysfunction, liver dysfunction and chronic inflammatory processes in small but remarkable fractions of electromagnetic hypersensitivity patients as potential sources of symptoms. Electromagnetic hypersensitivity might not be a single disorder but rather a complex mixture of different etiology. Clinically it is recommended to check for signs of treatable somatic conditions when caring for individuals suffering from electromagnetic hypersensitivity.

Study character:

medical/biological study
observational study
screening study

Study funded by

Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz (BfS; Federal Office for Radiation Protection), Salzgitter, Germany
Deutsches Mobilfunk Forschungsprogramm (DMF; German Mobile Phone Research Programme) at Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS)

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