title: [Prevalence of diagnosed chronic disorders in the immigrant and native population].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence rates of chronic disorders in immigrants and to compare them with those in the native population, based on electronic clinical records in primary care (ECRPC).
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study in patients aged 16 and over included in the Madrid Regional Public Health System. Age-adjusted prevalence rates for each sex and region were estimated on the basis of medically examined cases registered in the ECRPC with any new data entry made in 2005 or 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After age-adjustment, a total of 36.8% immigrants had some chronic health problem (vs. 55.3% natives). These disorders were more frequent among women and among the population from Africa and Latin America. The highest overall prevalence rates in the foreign population were allergy (10.2% crude rate), low-back pain (9.1%), chronic skin problems (6.8%) and mental disorders (6.4%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence rate of chronic disease is lower in the foreign population and differs according to sex and country of origin.
authors: Dirección General de Atención Primaria, Consejería de Sanidad, Comunidad de Madrid, España. maria.estebanv@salud.madrid.org
authors: María D
authors: MD
authors: Esteban-Vasallo
authors: M Felicitas
authors: MF
authors: Domínguez-Berjón
authors: Jenaro
authors: J
authors: Astray-Mochales
authors: Ricard
authors: R
authors: Gènova-Maleras
authors: Aurelio
authors: A
authors: Pérez-Sania
authors: Luis
authors: L
authors: Sánchez-Perruca
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Aguilera-Guzmán
authors: Francisco J
authors: FJ
authors: González-Sanz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa / Q000208:ethnology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003953:Diagnosis-Related Groups; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005060:Europe / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000208:ethnology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009656:North America / Q000208:ethnology; D044349:Oceania / Q000208:ethnology; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult