Nils Eriksson

Replacement of restorations in subjects with symptoms associated with dental restorations; a follow‐up study

The aim of this follow-up study was to assess the long-term development of symptoms and their social consequences among patients referred for diagnosis and treatment of symptoms believed to be related to dental-restorative materials. A questionnaire was sent to 614 such patients containing questions on civil status, present health, changes between baseline and follow-up, current employment situation, and consequences of the problems. The results showed that patients with complex symptoms at baseline had a worse prognosis (i.e. more symptoms remaining) at follow-up than patients with local symptoms only. Replacement of dental materials seemed to have the largest impact on the alleviation of the symptoms reported. Those with remaining complex symptoms had more often stopped working or had decreased their work hours because of their symptoms. Only one-sixth of the patients were symptom-free at the follow-up. Our results indicate a relationship between patients with complex symptoms and social consequences in daily life. Therefore, social factors must be taken into consideration when examining the patients. Dental, medical, and social factors have to be considered simultaneously when examining a patient with symptoms that they relate to dental materials, in order to recommend appropriate care-management programs for this group of patients.

Coping and Self-image in Patients With Symptoms Attributed to Indoor Environment

ABSTRACT This study investigated self-image and coping ability in a group of patients with symptoms from indoor environment. A follow-up questionnaire was sent to 239 patients previously referred with nonspecific building-related symptoms at University Hospital in Umeå, Sweden. One hundred seventy-four women and 14 men answered and the patient group rated their self-image as more spontaneous, more positive, and less negative than a control group. The patient group rated higher on the cognitive scale in the Coping Resources Inventory (CRI) than the control group. The female patients had an increased risk of not being able to work associated with a low score on negative self-image. The authors conclude that certain personality traits may be potential risk factors that increase the probability of encountering and experiencing stressful work situations. The resulting stress may increase workers’ susceptibility to indoor environment exposure.