title: Prevalence of Peanut, Tree Nut, Sesame, and Seafood Allergy in Mexican Adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the prevalence of perceived and probable allergic reactions to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame seed, or seafood and its association with the personal history of allergic disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was performed in four cities of the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, located in western Mexico. Through sampling by gender and age, 1,126 subjects were included. Using a structured questionnaire, we investigated: (i) history of atopic disease, (ii) perception of allergic reaction after food intake, and (iii) probable allergic reaction to peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, or seafood. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. A multivariate analysis of factors associated to perceived and probable allergic reactions to food was performed by logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Men were 49.8%; mean age was 28.1 years; personal history of atopic disease included: allergic rhinitis (6.9%), asthma (6.8%), and atopic dermatitis (3.8%). Prevalence of perceived and probable food allergy was, respectively: pecan 0.4 and 0.3%; peanut 0.6 and 0.6%; sesame 0.1 and 0.1%; shellfish 4.2 and 4.0% (mainly shrimp); mollusk 0.8 and 0.7%; fish 1.4 and 1.2%. Asthma was significantly associated with perceived and probable allergy to pecans, peanuts, fish, or seafood. Atopic dermatitis was associated with perceived and probable allergic reaction to sea snail, seafood, shellfish, or mollusks. Finally, allergic rhinitis was associated with allergy to shrimp and crustaceans.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that the prevalence of peanut, tree nut, sesame seed, and seafood allergy in this Mexican population is similar to that reported in developed countries.
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Clinical Immunology Service, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Dr. Juan I. Menchaca, Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico.
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bedolla-Barajas
authors.affiliation: Allergy and Clinical Immunology Service, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Dr. Juan I. Menchaca, Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico.
authors.forename: Tonatiuh Ramses
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Bedolla-Pulido
authors.affiliation: Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Zapopan, Jal., Mexico.
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Macriz-Romero
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Veracruzana, Xalapa, Ver., Mexico.
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morales-Romero
authors.affiliation: Internal Medicine Service, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Dr. Juan I. Menchaca, Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico.
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robles-Figueroa
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D000074924:Nut and Peanut Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D017747:Seafood / Q000009:adverse effects; D031685:Sesamum / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D000067208:Shellfish Hypersensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult