Prevalência de alergia alimentar nos adultos do bairro São Jorge em Uberlândia, MG

Abstract

Introduction: Food Allergy (FA) is adverse reaction that occurs when the ingestion of a specific food provokes a specific and reproducible immunological response, with clinical symptoms including anafilaxia. Previous studies report a increasing in FA prevalence around the world, and estimate 2-4% in adults, however, the real prevalence remains unknown and previous data seems to be overestimated as a result of many different methodologies applied. Objectives: To known the prevalence of FA in adults reported by adults registered in the Basic Unit of Health Family São Jorge 2 and 3 Uberlândia, and classified the main foods and clinical manifestations in this population. Methodology: This was a transversal study that enrolled adult srange 18 to 60 years registered in in the Basic Unit of Health Family São Jorge 2 and 3 Uberlândia, in the first phase was used a self-reported questionnaire, second phase who had affirmed allergic answered a specific questionnaire was applied to delimit a better clinical history of FA. Results: Around 4916 visit adults, 1583 was replied and the prevalence of reported FA after the first questionnaire was 10,80% (171). The prevalence of asthma, rhinitis and atopic dermatitis is higher in FA reported patients. The major frequency of implicate food was milk, pork meat, fruits and vegetable, shrimp, and fish. The most common clinical manifestation were first red spots in skin (49,12%), abdominal pain (25,73%), mouth or eye swelling (22,22%), diarrhea (21,64%) and dyspnea (14,03%). After second questionnaire response, only 0,99% participants were considered as food allergy diagnosis, with prevalence 0,26%to milk, 0,19% pork meat, 0,39% fruits, 0,19% vegetables e 0,19% shrimp. The main clinical manifestation was first abdominal pain (53,55%), red skin spots (33,33%), vomiting (33,33%), sickness (33,33%), itchy skin (26,66%), eye swelling (20,00%), and mouth swelling (13,33%). Conclusion: The self-reported food allergy prevalence was about 10 times higher than found using a specific methodology to investigate a detailed clinical history. The study found higher frequency in women and also, an association to other atopic diseases. The foods involved are part of usual diet like milk, pork meat, fruits, and shrimp. The food allergy prevalence after the second questionnaire was similar to others studies done by oral food challenge to diagnosis FA.