title: Allergen sensitivity (mites, insects, and pets) in a Puerto Rican population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The people of Puerto Rico have one of the highest asthma prevalence and morbidity rates in the U.S.A. Limited information is available on the most common allergy sensitivities among island residents. The aims of the study were to determine the most common inhalant allergen sensitivities among a convenience sample in Puerto Rico and determine as well their relationship to an asthma or a rhinitis diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In August of 2008, we evaluated a cohort of subjects visiting ambulatory clinics offering health screening; the clinics were located in two of the island's biggest cities: Guaynabo in the north and Ponce in the south. Subjects over three years of age (or their parents) visiting the clinics answered a survey on asthma and rhinitis and were skin tested for reactivity to common aeroallergens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey included 395 subjects with a mean age of 29 years. Thirty-six percent reported a history of asthma, of whom 83% (30% of the total participants) reported still having asthma, and 76% reported having rhinitis. Sixty-five percent of the subjects were sensitive to at least one antigen. Subjects sensitive to mites were 53% more likely to have suffered from asthma than were non-mite-sensitized subjects (OR = 1.53, p < 0.05) sensitivity to mosquitoes (OR = 2.25, p < 0.02), mites (OR = 2.53, p < 0.00001), feathers (OR = 2.72, p < 0.03), dogs (OR = 3.02, p < 0.01), or cats (OR = 3.42, p < 0.001) increased an individual's likelihood of suffering from rhinitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most common sensitivities identified were to mites and insects. Mite sensitivity was associated with rhinitis and asthma. Sensitivity to animal dander as well as to mosquitoes was associated to with rhinitis. Further studies are warranted to explore the relevance of allergen sensitivity in terms of asthma and rhinitis prevalence and morbidity among residents of Puerto Rico.
authors.affiliation: Allergy & immunology Section, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico. sylvette.nazario@upr.edu
authors.forename: Sylvette
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nazario
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zaragoza
authors.forename: Vylma
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Velázquez
authors.forename: Gilberto
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ramos-Valencia
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Acantilado
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Angel M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: María M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: López-Almodóvar
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: López-Malpica
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007313:Insecta; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008925:Mites; D057805:Pets; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens