Prevalence of allergic diseases in a sample of Taif citizens assessed by an original Arabic questionnaire (phase I) A pioneer study in Saudi Arabia.

BACKGROUND: In recent decades, the prevalence of allergic diseases has markedly increased worldwide; however, there are still many cases which remain undiagnosed. Epidemiological studies have the potential to elucidate the prevalence and risk factors for these diseases.
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at evaluating the capability of a new original non-translated questionnaire in Arabic language to determine the prevalence and severity of these diseases in a sample from Taif citizens. Thus, it could provide a framework as an initial step towards accomplishing the first national questionnaire-based survey study determining the actual prevalence of various allergic diseases in Saudi Arabia.
METHODS: A detailed seven-section questionnaire including 143 closed questions covering almost all of the usual and unusual symptoms of various allergic diseases, in Arabic language, was handed out to 1050 subjects, from whom 877 (83.52%) questionnaires were completed; however, 23 questionnaires were discarded as they were not accurately filled in. Thus, 854 (81.33%) were enrolled in this study.
RESULTS: Urticaria, allergic rhinitis with or without other co-morbidities, and atopic dermatitis were the most prevalent allergic morbidities, however, other allergic diseases could be diagnosed by the aid of the questionnaire. Likelihood ratio-evidenced agreement between diagnosis reached by the questionnaire and that reached by doctor occurred in 50 sample cases (p<0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS: The questionnaire proved its capability in aiding the diagnosis of various allergic morbidities. It evidenced a high prevalence of allergic diseases in Taif city. This is an important health issue which requires strategic application of primary health care facilities to achieve adequate control.