The article presents the most important results of a follow-up study of 60 patients with solvent induced encephalopathy, carried out 3-5 years after diagnosis. Factors concerning health, work and social life were registered. These encephalopathies seem to remain stable after cessation of exposure to solvents. The majority of the patients did not fully understand the diagnosis. Only a minority of the patients followed recommendations concerning further work and exposure to solvents. The disease has major consequences for the social well-being of the patients, and they do not seem to receive adequate support from the social welfare authorities.