Validation of the russian-language version of the QEESI questionnaire for the assessment of multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome

Patients with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) are an extremely heterogeneous group in terms of the nature and severity of symptoms, the level of sensitivity and the nature of external influences. The QEESI questionnaire is used to evaluate it in foreign practice.

Objective. To validate the Russian-language version of the QEESI questionnaire to assess the MCS syndrome.

Materials and methods. Using the QEESI questionnaire, 468 patients (232 men, average age 34.2±9.3 years and 236 women, average age 42.9±13.8 years) who underwent preventive medical examination were surveyed. Statistical processing was performed using the SPSS statistical software package for Windows, version 10.0.

Results. The proportion of the surveyed whose total score exceeded the threshold of 40 points was 211 (45.1%) people, of whom 98 (46.4%) reached or exceeded the threshold in any two of the three subscales. The questionnaire validation procedure consisted of the following stages: translation, preliminary testing, reliability assessment, and validity assessment. The assessment of the reliability of the questionnaire, performed using the calculation of the α-Kronbach coefficient, showed a high degree of internal consistency: 0.7806 for intolerance to inhaled chemicals, 0.8043 for severity of symptoms and 0.8745 for life effects. The criterion validity of the questionnaire was determined by the Spearman correlation method. In most cases of paired correlation, a statistically significant influence and direct dependence have been established.

Conclusion. The data we obtained showed the reliability and validity of the Russian version of the QEESI questionnaire. This questionnaire can be used to identify MCS in patients presenting non-specific complaints and to assess the dynamics of treatment.