Cecilia Puente-Fernández1, Rosalba L Maya-Hernández1, Miriam V Flores-Merino2, María Del Socorro Romero-Figueroa3, Martín Bedolla-Barajas4, Ma Victoria Domínguez García5. 1. Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca, State of México, México. 2. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Médicas CICMED-UAEMex, Toluca, State of México, México. 3. Coordinación de Investigación, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Toluca, State of México, México. 4. Servicio de Alergología e Inmunología Clínica, Nuevo Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Dr. Juan I. Menchaca", Guadalajara, Jalisco, México. 5. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Médicas CICMED-UAEMex, Toluca, State of México, México. Electronic address: mavidoga@yahoo.com.mx.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Food hypersensitivity (FH) is defined as any unfavorable reaction after the ingestion, contact, or inhalation of a food. Few FH prevalence studies have been performed in the Mexican adult population. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of self-reported FH and probable food allergy (FA) among a sample of Mexican young adults and to determine the most commonly involved foods, associated symptoms, and risk factors. METHODS: We designed an observational, cross-sectional study in which 1,253 young adults (aged 18-25 years) born in the State of Mexico answered a questionnaire concerning FH. We obtained information on personal and familial histories of allergic diseases, the involved foods, and the subsequent adverse reactions to their consumption. RESULTS: The prevalence of FH was 30.1% and was significantly higher in women than in men (P < .001). The prevalence of probable FA was 5.9% and was also higher in women (P = .02). Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in 83.1% of FH cases, whereas cutaneous symptoms and oral allergy syndrome were reported in FA cases. The food groups most associated with FH were dairy products (13.2%), vegetables (10.0%), and fruits (8.0%). The food groups most associated with FA were fruits (3.0%) and seafood (1.8%). Female sex, personal history of allergic diseases, maternal history of atopic dermatitis, and parental history of urticaria were significantly associated (P < .05) with the presence of FH. CONCLUSION: FH in young adults might be more common than previously thought, especially in women. However, further studies are needed to confirm this situation in the Mexican population.
BACKGROUND: Food hypersensitivity (FH) is defined as any unfavorable reaction after the ingestion, contact, or inhalation of a food. Few FH prevalence studies have been performed in the Mexican adult population. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of self-reported FH and probable food allergy (FA) among a sample of Mexican young adults and to determine the most commonly involved foods, associated symptoms, and risk factors. METHODS: We designed an observational, cross-sectional study in which 1,253 young adults (aged 18-25 years) born in the State of Mexico answered a questionnaire concerning FH. We obtained information on personal and familial histories of allergic diseases, the involved foods, and the subsequent adverse reactions to their consumption. RESULTS: The prevalence of FH was 30.1% and was significantly higher in women than in men (P < .001). The prevalence of probable FA was 5.9% and was also higher in women (P = .02). Gastrointestinal symptoms were reported in 83.1% of FH cases, whereas cutaneous symptoms and oral allergy syndrome were reported in FA cases. The food groups most associated with FH were dairy products (13.2%), vegetables (10.0%), and fruits (8.0%). The food groups most associated with FA were fruits (3.0%) and seafood (1.8%). Female sex, personal history of allergic diseases, maternal history of atopic dermatitis, and parental history of urticaria were significantly associated (P < .05) with the presence of FH. CONCLUSION: FH in young adults might be more common than previously thought, especially in women. However, further studies are needed to confirm this situation in the Mexican population.
Authors: Ma Victoria Domínguez-García; Miriam V Flores-Merino; Cecilia Puente-Fernández; Jaime Morales-Romero; Martín Bedolla-Barajas Journal: Asia Pac Allergy Date: 2018-04-25
Authors: Martín Bedolla-Barajas; Cecilia Puente-Fernández; Miriam V Flores-Merino; Jaime Morales-Romero; Ma Victoria Domínguez-García Journal: Asia Pac Allergy Date: 2017-07-26