Evaluation of a modified German version of the Q16 questionnaire for neurotoxic symptoms in workers exposed to solvents
A Ihrig, G Triebig, M C Dietz
Institute and
Policlinic of Occupational and Social Medicine, University Hospital
Heidelberg, Hospitalstra
e 1, 69115 Heidelberg Germany
Correspondence to: A Ihrig andreas_ihrig{at}med.uni-heidelberg.de
Accepted 30 August
2000
OBJECTIVES
To assess
sensitivity and specificity of a questionnaire designed to detect
neurotoxic symptoms in workers exposed to solvents and in patients with
a psycho-organic syndrome.
METHODSThe Swedish
Q16 is a self administered questionnaire for neurotoxic symptoms. The
modified German version consists of 18 questions. The results were
analysed from 1166 questionnaires which were completed by adults
belonging to the following groups; 483 workers with occupational
exposure to solvents and 193 non-exposed controls, 25 patients with a
psycho-organic syndrome, 25 sex and age matched patients with a lung
disease, and a sample of 440 people from the general population.
RESULTSThe German Q18
was easy to handle and quick to perform. Workers exposed to solvents
reported significantly more complaints than controls (2.9 v 2.5). All patients with a psycho-organic syndrome had five or more complaints. This was true for only 32% of
patients with lung disease. These comparisons showed that chronic exposure to solvents was associated with subjective complaints related
particularly to cognitive functions. In the sample of the general
population, age, education level, smoking habits, and time of
performance showed no significant influence on the Q18 result. Women
had significantly more complaints than men (3.2 v 2.3). People who reported drinking alcohol
occasionally or moderately had significantly fewer complaints than teetotalers.
CONCLUSIONSThe German
Q18 has an acceptable sensitivity and reliability, a reasonable
specificity, and a good practicability. It is a useful instrument for
screening workers exposed to solvents. A cut off point of 5 for men is
recommended, and a cut off point of 6 for women is proposed.
Keywords: neurotoxicity; solvents; questionnaire Q18
© 2001 by Occupational and Environmental Medicine
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