Table 4 Proposed case definition aspects for IEI-EMF
Dimensions of IEI-EMF | Case definition assessment/identification of IEI-EMF | |
|---|---|---|
Research | Clinical practice | |
Health effects | - Subjective report of symptoms/physiologic reactions. | - Subjective report of symptoms/physiologic reactions. |
- The possibility that a known medical or psychiatric condition is the cause of the reported health complaints should be excluded with the use of standardized interview and patient history. | - The possibility that a known medical or psychiatric condition is the cause of the reported health complaints should be excluded after thorough physical and psychiatric examination and detailed patient history. | |
- Current status of residential and occupational exposure to harmful environmental agents that could be related to the reported complaints (other than non-ionizing EMF). | ||
Triggering factors | - Attribution of NSPS or other physiologic reaction(s) to either all/several EMF sources (General IEI-EMF) or one specific EMF source (such as VDU, MP or FTL)and/or | |
- Subjective report of being sensitive to specific or various EMF sources. | ||
Cognition & behavior (optional) | - Symptoms occur during or after the individual perception or actual exposure, presence or use of an EMF source. | |
- Regular avoidance behavior towards EMF source(s) due to the fear of a negative impact of EMF on health. | ||