title: [Clinical-epidemiological profile of patients with suspicion of alimentary allergy in Mexico. Mexipreval Study].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adverse reaction to food has increased around the world in last years. Prevalence of food allergy raises between 2-4% in adults, and 6-8% in children. The clinical presentation is heterogeneous and varies from mild symptoms to anaphylactic reactions. Even the clinical history focused in the food is important; demonstration of allergen sensitization is mandatory.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the profile of the patients with suspicion of food allergy and the regular clinical practice followed in Mexico.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out from March 2013 to March 2014 using a convenience sample of allergic patients who were treated in the office, both private and public, of those physicians who seen food allergy patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Clinical, epidemiological, diagnostic and therapeutic data were collected from 1,971 suspicious food allergic patients presenting for the first time in the departments of the researchers involved in the study. No difference was found in relation to gender. In relation to age, a bimodal distribution, with peaks at 2 and 35 years old, was found. A history of respiratory allergy was present in 75% of cases; 80% of patients had had any previous symptoms before seeking consultation and the most frequent clinical manifestations were cutaneous, 5% reported anaphylaxis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The foods involved in reactions change with age. The clinical presentation changes with the food, although the skin is the most frequently affected organ. Even if the suspicious were high, the confirmation with specific diagnostic tools is strongly recommended.
authors.affiliation: Área de Integración Basada en Problemas, Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Querétaro, México. medinaha@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Medina-Hernández
authors.forename: Rosa Elena
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Huerta-Hernández
authors.forename: Marco A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Góngora-Meléndez
authors.forename: M Gabriela
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Domínguez-Silva
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Mendoza-Hernández
authors.forename: Sergio J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Romero-Tapia
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iduñate-Palacios
authors.forename: María Gozos
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cisneros-Rivero
authors.forename: Rosa Martha
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Covarrubias-Carrillo
authors.forename: María Ángeles
authors.initials: MÁ
authors.lastname: Juan-Pineda
authors.forename: María Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Zárate-Hernández
keywords: Diagnosis; Food allergy; Mexipreval study; Prevalence; Treatment