L'hypersensibilité à l'électricité : une approche multidisciplinaire pour un problème multifactoriel. Revue de la littérature

Hypersensitivity to electricity (EHS) is a self-defined syndrome where individuals experience adverse effects while using or being in the vicinity of devices or equipments emitting electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields. Most of studies are Scandinavian and indicate dermatological complaints from visual display units workers but more and more individuals complaint about a general syndrome, neurasthenic like, which extend to other sources of non-ionising radiation; power-lines and mobile systems. The use of this term cannot be considered to imply an already established causal relationship between electromagnetic fields and reported symptoms, as shown by provocation studies. The origin of hypersensitivity to electricity appears to be mutifactorial and request a multidisciplinary approach of environmental, biologic, psychologic and psychosocial factors in the diagnostic and treatment of this heterogeneous syndrome. The goal of this paper is to review current knowledge and hypothesis related to this syndrome to better understand and help people suffering from it.