Criteria | Description |
---|---|
Inclusion | |
Age and gender | Age 25–58 years, female and male |
Symptom definition* | (A) Self-reported symptoms attributed to indoor work environment (non-industrial workplaces) include (1) respiratory symptoms, and (2) symptoms in at least one of the other organ systems, (B) Symptoms recurrently (1) occur in more than one indoor environment, or (2) continue despite measures at the workplace to solve the indoor air problem (eg, work arrangements and/or workplace reparations), and (C) Symptoms are not adequately explained by medical reasons (symptoms are medically unexplained)† |
Symptom duration | Onset of recurrent symptoms with disability of ≤3 years before the study |
Work | Employed for ≥3 years before the study |
Sick leave | At least 1 day of sick leave due to indoor air symptoms during the preceding 6 months |
Language | Fluent Finnish (writing/reading/speaking) |
Exclusion | |
Sick leave duration | ≥6 months of sick leave due to indoor air symptoms during the preceding 2 years and currently unable to work |
Changes in work | Changes in work (eg, retirement, study leave, pregnancy, etc.) during the study |
Medical reasons† | Some serious and/or acute untreated medical disease or illnesses:
|
Psychotherapy | Psychotherapy (current or ended during two preceding years) |
Other | Patient refusal; not actively participating in work life (retired or unemployed) |
*IEI-criteria modified from Lacour et al.15
†Based on evaluation of occupational physician. Other criteria may also be evaluated by occupational health nurse.
IEI, idiopathic environment intolerance.